LYCRA GARMENTS DESIGNED FOR PATIENTS WITH UPPER-LIMB SPASTICITY - MECHANICAL EFFECTS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Objective: To assess the stretch of pronator muscles produced by a spe cifically designed upper-limb Lycra garment that could have a better a cceptability than rigid splints in treating upper-limb spasticity. Des ign: Double-blind comparison among three garments. They were designed to produce a supinating, a pronating, and no torsional three, and were individually manufactured and tested in 10 healthy volunteers. Main O utcome Measure: Angular position and passive rotational stiffness of t he forearm were measured with and without each of the garments immedia tely after the garment was fitted and every hour for 6 hours. Results: When put on by a trained person, the supinator garment supinated the forearm In all subjects (mean, 17 degrees; p < .01; range, 5 degrees t o 44 degrees) while the pronator garment pronated the forearm in 8 of 10 subjects (mean, 5 degrees; p < .01). These effects gradually decaye d over 6 hours, as garment position was not readjusted, Passive rotati onal stiffness of the forearm increased by about 30% with each type of garment. The garments designed to produce no torsional force exerted no intrinsic relational effect. Conclusion: individually made Lycra ga rments can produce continuous stretch of muscles for several hours and may be useful in the treatment of spasticity, The garments, however, must be put on by a trained person and their position adjusted when ne cessary. (C) 1997 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.