Upper Limb Rehabilitation Aids
Aids to rehabilitation of upper limb function for intensive care patients.
Therapy, Activities, Skills and Kinesiology (TASK) Boards for University Hospital Southampton
Reduced dexterity
Fly-by-wire kids tractor
Like most small boys Theo loves tractors, but when you are born with really short arms it makes steering a challenge. So Gerry, a fellow volunteer from the York panel, and I set about creating a safe fly-by-wire push along tractor to make the 20-month old lad very happy.
Drag brakes for rollator
The client had difficulty controlling her rollator on sloping ground where it tended to run away with her because she did not have the strength to apply the brakes for extended periods. A light weight rollator with drag brakes was bought and modified to allow the drag brakes to be operated without having to bend down.
Arm support
Client has Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome and her weak arms cause difficulty with lifting them above waist height, and so has trouble with doing makeup, hair-drying, hair straightening, etc. A simple padded wooden stand supports her elbows.
One-handed food preparation
The client had a major stroke and lost use of her left hand but still lives independently and wished to be able to prepare fruit and vegetables, specifically melon. A worktop-mounted vice, operated by leaning forward, allows food to be held while being prepared.
Aids to use for upper limb function for cancer patients.
Cancer patients with metastatic spinal cord compression and who are largely bed bound, require simple exercises to maintain upper body actions. Two boards were constructed that could be mounted on over bed or conventional tables, and each contained a separate range of activities. Care was taken to ensure the activities and boards were safe and could be easily cleaned. Several features are the same as Project SO29/19.
Nutria Feed Opener
Elderly lady who lives alone, has to have line feed overnight, but can’t open the packs herself.
Modified Electric Toothbrush
The client has arthritis and could not press the button to switch on electric toothbrush, nor grip a manual toothbrush.
Drawing aid pen holder
The client is 20 months old and has arthrogryposis which causes him to have limited movement in his wrists, hands and fingers. His mum and OT wanted him to start holding a pen and drawing but this was not possible without help […]
Bracket for hydration bottle mouthpiece
A client with MS is unable to reach the mouthpiece of her hydration bottle. A simple chest-mounted support presents the mouthpiece at a convenient position.
Telescopic Dressing stick and Hairbrush adaptor
Telescopic dressing stick with interchangeable ends for a client with a degenerative muscular condition. Her dressing stick is a solid fixed length and therefore not of practical use outside of the home. We adapted a telescopic “selfie stick” with interchangeable end adaptors, for dressing, hair brushing and shoe fitting.
Finger Support for independent Wheelchair operation
The client has a degenerative nerve/muscular condition and needs to continue to be able to operate his wheelchair independently. A finger support was developed and fitted to the wheelchair control knob to enable him to do this.
Motorised Easel
A multi-way motorised easel for a Mouth Painting artist
Rollator arm gutter support
An arm gutter modification on a rollator to help a client following a stroke.
Bed side rails
A client with Down’s Syndrome has folding three-quarter length safety rails on the side of his bed. He is unable to lower the rails himself when he wishes to get out of bed, so Remap provided new folding rails approximately half the length of the bed allowing him to exit the bed more safely.
Cookie Monster Toy-Jelly Bean Switch
Adapting a Cookie Monster toy for activation by a Jelly Bean Switch