Self Directed Rehab Experiences Using Strongarm
Some Background
My wife Joy had a stroke October 2012 which left her with right side Hemiparesis. Since that time she has undertaken an extensive rehab program based mainly on targeted exercise. I have done a lot of research on what commercial equipment and aids are available for physical rehab. We have found that we have been able to make some "home made gadgets" to replicate the functionality of or tailor the use of these products in a way that we can afford.
We would like to share some of our experiences.
The Strong Arm
The idea for this came from a Catalyst TV program where they showcased a machine developed by the University of Queensland called Smartarm.
This essentially was a sophisticated computerised machine with an arm support that ran along a rail. The angle of and resistance on the rail could be altered to make movement easier or harder and the computer measured all aspects such as distance travelled, energy used etc. The machine is very expensive, and not commercially available yet and certainly way out of reach for home use.
So I made a laymans version we call Strongarm which consists of a trolley on 4 castors that supports the arm and a wooden trolley for the trough to run in. The trough can be lowered or raised at one end and elastic (theraband) can also be used in combination to increase or decrease resistance. There are measurments along the trough to provide targets and feedback for the user.
SEE THE VIDEOS IN THE ARM AND HAND RESOURCES SECTION to see how it works.
The result was Joy got good movement - up to 40 cm after 2 months of using this every day for about 30 minutes starting from a position of very limited movement.
I have made three of these combined units for hospitals in the Mid North Coast region of NSW plus three units in Sydney hospitals. The most rewarding feedback was a report of a fellow in a major Sydney hospital who was brought to tears when he could get his arm moving after a lengthy time with no movement at all.
Now we have found that a couple of Men's Sheds around the country have been willing to make these from some basic specs I supplied and I am sure others would be willing to help if asked.
Please feel free to ask for further info if you think this may be applicabale and helpful for you.