Effect of Shoulder Sling Use on Balance and Mobility in Subacute Stroke Patients
A Cross-Over Study on the Effect of Shoulder Sling Use on Balance and Functional Mobility in Patients With Hemiplegia During the Subacute Phase of Stroke Rehabilitation
Arnaoutis Stylianos
17 participants
Mar 13, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study examines whether wearing a shoulder sling can improve balance and mobility in people who are recovering from a stroke. Participants will perform simple movement and balance tests twice-once with the sling and once without. The goal is to find out if using the sling helps patients feel more stable and safe during walking and everyday activities.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria8
- Clinical diagnosis of stroke in the subacute phase (up to 6 months post-onset)
- Hemiplegia affecting one upper limb
- Brunnstrom stage < 4 for the affected upper limb
- Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) score > 3
- Age between 40 and 80 years
- Ability to follow simple instructions
- Medically stable to participate in balance and mobility testing
- Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria7
- Severe cognitive impairment (e.g. MMSE < 23)
- Visual or vestibular disorders affecting balance
- Significant orthopedic or musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limbs
- Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
- Use of assistive devices that prevent sling application
- Severe aphasia interfering with understanding or communication
- Skin lesions or injuries at the shoulder region preventing sling use
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Interventions
Use of a shoulder sling (Reh4mat AM-SOB) on the affected upper limb during mobility and balance testing.
Functional mobility tests performed without the use of any assistive shoulder device.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT06904768