A study on the application of mobile arm support in individuals with cervical cord injuries

Research Objectives: To investigate the change in the active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder and elbow joints by applying the mobile arm support (MAS) in cervical injury patients with limitations in the proximal part of the upper extremities. Additionally, the user satisfaction with MAS was assessed.

Design: One group before-after trial.

Setting: Inpatients at the National Rehabilitation Center.

Participants: This study included five tetraplegic patients with at least one year since the onset and neurological level of injury at C3–C4 level.

Interventions: Participants were trained by applying the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX). Training was conducted based on the Jebsen–Taylor hand function test. Six sessions of the intervention were conducted for 30 minutes each, thrice a week for 2 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures: The AROM of the shoulder and elbow joints was measured. Additionally, Korean-Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (K-QUEST) was used to evaluate the satisfaction.

Results: The AROM of the shoulder joint increased from 38.040±35.710° to 49.960±36.884° for flexion, 26.380±19.367° to 31.800±14.249° for extension, 18.980±12.765° to 21.340±14.570° for adduction, 44.180±24.547° to 53.620±24.253° for internal rotation, and 28.020±17.071° to 34.900±20.793° for external rotation, but without significant differences. The elbow joint showed no AROM change. K-QUEST assessed the satisfaction with the equipment, with a 5-point scoring system from 1 (not satisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). Most items showed a satisfaction level ≥4, confirming positive results with WREX.

Conclusions: MAS training in patients with chronic cervical injury demonstrated an increase in the AROM of the shoulder. Thus, MAS training can improve the upper extremity functions in cervical injury patients. Additionally, the K-QUEST results confirmed positive satisfaction with the WREX equipment in these patients.

Author(s) Disclosures: Jung-Eun Lim1, Woo Yeung Kim2, Onyoo Kim2

1National Rehabilitation Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center and Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center and Hospital, Seoul, South Korea