Three Newly Designed Arm Slings for the Stroke Patient with Shoulder Subluxation: A case report

We reported three types of newly designed arm slings (the "V" strap pouch arm sling, the Modified hemisling, the Tripod arm sling). The three slings and the conventional hemisling were all tested by a single stroke patient for the correction of shoulder subluxation. Sling effectiveness was evaluated by simple shoulder AP X-rays, quantitative electromyography (root mean square; RMS), strap tension, and preference of the patient. Of the four types, the "V" strap pouch arm sling reduced the vertical displacement the most. RMS values of the supraspinatus muscle tended decrease and strap tension was also lower after using the "V" strap pouch arm sling compared with others. The patient also preferred the "V" strap pouch arm sling to the other slings. We suggested that "V" strap pouch arm sling was the most effective among four types of arm slings (including conventional hemisling) for the correction of shoulder subluxation, and patient's preference.

The Effect of the Suspension, Electrical Stimulation and Treadmill Training in the Hindlimb Muscle of the Rats

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of suspension, the electrical stimulation and full weight bearing treadmill training on the muscle atrophy and transformation of muscle fibers. METHOD: Forty Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into control and 3 intervention groups: suspension control (n= 10), suspension with weight bearing treadmill (n=10), and suspension with electrical stimulation (n=10). After 4 weeks intervention, both gastrocnemius and soleus were dissected and the muscle weight and transformation of muscle fibers were analyzed. RESULTS: In suspension control and suspension electrical stimulation groups, muscle to body weight ratio of gastro-cnemius was decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). In all intervention groups, muscle to body weight ratio of soleus was decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). In suspension electrical stimulation group, type I muscle fiber ratio of gastrocnemius was increased compared to control and suspension control groups (p<0.05). In suspension electrical stimulation group, type IIa muscle fiber ratio of gastrocnemius was increased compared to suspension control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that muscle atrophy induced by disuse and transformation of muscle fiber can be prevented by electrical stimulation intervention.