title: Effects of Arm Weight Support Training to Promote Recovery of Upper Limb Function for Subacute Patients after Stroke with Different Levels of Arm Impairments.
abstract: Purpose. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of arm weight support training using the ArmeoSpring for subacute patients after stroke with different levels of hemiplegic arm impairments. Methods. 48 inpatients with subacute stroke, stratified into 3 groups from mild to severe upper extremity impairment, were engaged in ArmeoSpring training for 45 minutes daily, 5 days per week for 3 weeks, in addition to conventional rehabilitation. Evaluations were conducted at three measurement occasions: immediately before training (T1); immediately after training (T2); and at a 3-week follow-up (T3) by a blind rater. Results. Shoulder flexion active range of motion, Upper Extremity Scores in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Vertical Catch had the greatest differences in gain scores for patients between severe and moderate impairments, whereas FMA Hand Scores had significant differences in gain scores between moderate and mild impairments. There was no significant change in muscle tone or hand-path ratios between T1, T2, and T3 within the groups. Conclusion. Arm weight support training is beneficial for subacute stroke patients with moderate to severe arm impairments, especially to improve vertical control such as shoulder flexion, and there were no adverse effects in muscle tone.
authors: Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Irene H L
authors: IH
authors: Chan
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Kenneth N K
authors: 0000-0001-5909-4847
authors: KN
authors: Fong
authors: Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Dora Y L
authors: DY
authors: Chan
authors: Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Apple Q L
authors: AQ
authors: Wang
authors: Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Eddy K N
authors: EK
authors: Cheng
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Pinky H Y
authors: PH
authors: Chau
authors: Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Kathy K Y
authors: KK
authors: Chow
authors: Rehabilitation Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hospital Authority, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors: Hobby K Y
authors: HK
authors: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D000067190:Exoskeleton Device; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity