Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 86, Issue 12 , Pages 2324-2329, December 2005

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.

  • Kathy Dieruf, PT, PhD, NCS

      Affiliations

    • Physical Therapy Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to Kathy Dieruf, PT, PhD, NCS, Health Sciences Center, Physical Therapy Program, MSC09, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
    • ,
  • Janet L. Poole, PhD, OTR/L

      Affiliations

    • Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM
    • ,
  • Cindy Gregory, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, Albuquerque, NM
    • ,
  • Erin Joerg Rodriguez, PT

      Affiliations

    • Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
    • ,
  • Carol Spizman, MOT

      Affiliations

    • Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM

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.

Key Words:  Hemiplegia , Orthotic devices , Radiography , Rehabilitation , Shoulder

 

 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.

PII: S0003-9993(05)00924-X

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2005.07.291

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 86, Issue 12 , Pages 2324-2329, December 2005

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