Comparative Effectiveness of the GivMohr Sling in Subjects With Flaccid Upper Limbs on Subluxation Through Radiologic Analysis
Presented in part to the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, February 2001, San Antonio, TX.
Abstract
Dieruf K, Poole JL, Gregory C, Rodriguez EJ, Spizman C. Comparative effectiveness of the GivMohr sling in subjects with flaccid upper limbs on subluxation through radiologic analysis.
Objective
To test the effectiveness of the GivMohr sling in reducing subluxation while providing joint compression through a flaccid limb, using the criterion standard of radiography for measuring subluxation.
Design
Anteroposterior 0° radiographs were taken of each subject: 1 of the unaffected shoulder and 3 of the affected shoulder; 1 without a sling, 1 with the GivMohr sling, and 1 with the Rolyan humeral cuff sling.
Setting
Two large rehabilitation centers.
Participants
Twenty-five adult volunteers with a flaccid upper limb (UL) secondary to cerebrovascular accident or other pathology.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Vertical and horizontal subluxation were measured in millimeters on each of the 4 radiographs for each subject.
Results
A 1-way analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for vertical but not horizontal subluxation. Post hoc tests showed that the GivMohr sling measures were similar to measures for the uninvolved shoulder, but significantly different from measures for the Rolyan and the involved shoulder.
Conclusions
These results show that a properly fitted GivMohr sling reduces subluxation without overcorrecting. This new sling provides an alternative treatment option for persons with flaccid ULs that may prevent secondary complications and improve outcomes.
Reprint requests to Kathy Dieruf, PT, PhD, NCS, Health Sciences Center, Physical Therapy Program, MSC09, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Supported in part by the University of New Mexico Nursing/Pharmacy and Allied Health Research Allocation Committee.
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.
ABSTRACT