Early mobilization of a patient with acquired brain injury using a new standing aid, the Innowalk Pro. A single subject experimental design

• Background Early mobilization is regarded as important in patients with severe acquired brain injury. Objective To explore the feasibility, physical and physiological responses of using a new assistive, electric standing device, Innowalk Pro (IP), that passively moves the legs in an upright position. Design A single-subject experimental design. Methods A three-phase model (A(1)-B-A(2)) was chosen; A(1): baseline using a standing frame, B: an intervention using IP and A(2): withdrawal using a standing frame. Outcome measures: Patient's and assistive personnel's experiences with Likert scales, Modified Trunk Impairment Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Lidcombe Template (passive ankle dorsiflexion), duration of the training, blood pressure and heart rate. Results A 40-year-old female, with subarachnoid haemorrhage, perceived training in the IP as more physically exhausting than training in a standing frame, influencing the training time. However, she preferred the IP over the standing frame. Trunk control did not improve, until the withdrawal phase. A small MAS reduction in ankle plantar flexors was maintained in the A(2)-phase. The heart rate showed an ascending trend in A(1), and a non-significant descending trend in B- and A(2)-phases. Blood pressure showed a flat trend line in A(1) and B-phases, and a descending trend in A(2). Conclusion The new IP was considered a feasible and motivating intervention. Heart rate tended to decrease during IP training, while the blood pressure remained stable. Further research is needed to evaluate whether the IP should be a preferable or a supplementary assistive device for early mobilization.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Assistive technology

standing device

early mobilization

sub-acute

acquired brain injury

Rehabilitation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)