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Effects of shoulder brace usage on postural stability in stroke survivors: A pilot randomized controlled trial

2024; IOS Press; Volume: 54; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3233/nre-230250

1878-6448

Giovanni Morone, Alessandro Antonio Princi, Marco Iosa, R. Montemurro, Irene Ciancarelli, Paola Coiro, Danilo Lisi, Riccardo Savo, Matteo Notturno Granieri, Domenico De Angelis, Marco Tramontano,

Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in stroke rehabilitation, challenges in upper limb motor recovery and postural stability persist, negatively affecting overall well-being. Arm slings and shoulder braces have been proposed to address these issues, but their efficacy in promoting postural stability remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This pilot randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the impact of a new shoulder brace (N1-Neurosling) on trunk postural stability during walking, pain, and upper limb muscle strength in chronic stroke survivors. METHODS: Twenty-four adult chronic stroke patients were involved and randomly assigned to the shoulder brace group (SBg) or control group (CTRLg). Were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks (T1) through the Trunk Control Test, the Numerical Rating Scale, the Motricity Index, Manual Muscle Test, and instrumental wearable-based assessment. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the SBg showed significant improvement in Trunk Control Test scores (p = 0.020) and smoothness of gait measured by log dimensionless jerk along the Antero-Posterior axis (– 5.31±0.25 vs. – 5.18±0.27, p = 0.018) compared to the CTRLg. The SBg also demonstrated a reduction in pain in the shoulder girdle and enhanced upper limb muscle strength. CONCLUSION: The use of the N1-Neurosling shoulder brace led to improvements in postural stability and smoothness of gait in stroke patients.