Immediate effects of an elastic arm sling on walking patterns of chronic stroke patients

[Purpose] We developed a new arm sling with an elastic bandage which we hearafter refer to as "the elastic arm sling". This study investigated the immediate effects of the elastic arm sling on the gait patterns of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirteen stroke patients were enrolled in this study after providing their informed consent. They walked on a GAITRite mat twice, with a 5-min rest between the trials. [Results] Significant improvements were seen in cadence and walking velocity during walking while wearing the elastic arm sling. Furthermore, patients who used the elastic arm sling showed significant increases in step lengths of the affected and unaffected limbs. The stride lengths of the affected and unaffected sides while wearing the elastic arm sling and those without the elastic arm sling also significantly differed. [Conclusion] These results demonstrate that the elastic arm sling is a useful tool for the gait training of stroke patients, especially cadence, walking velocity, and the step and stride lengths of both limbs. Therefore, therapists should use the elastic arm sling as a gait-training assistive device for stroke patients.