Myoelectric Arm Orthosis Assists Functional Activities: A 3-Month Home Use Outcome Report

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare task performance in individuals with upper limb impairments with and without a myoelectric arm orthosis. DESIGN: Three-month observational study. Participants met at 4 time points after receiving their myoelectric orthosis (2-Weeks, Month-1, Month-2, Month-3) to complete 4 standardized common daily tasks. SETTING: Nationwide sessions completed remotely over videoconference calls at home. There were no specific clinic affiliations. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with upper limb impairment due to stroke who were in the process of being fit with a myoelectric arm orthosis as a first-time user. INTERVENTIONS: The orthosis was a custom-fabricated myoelectric arm orthosis called the MyoPro®. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional tasks were completed at each session with and without the MyoPro. Participants were evaluated on their success and the time required to complete each functional task. Longitudinal mixed and longitudinal mixed logistic regression models were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen individuals with chronic arm weakness due to stroke were included in the analysis. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements were observed on the functional tasks in the participants’ homes. By 3 months, participants successfully used the MyoPro to accomplish the tasks, reduced the amount of time spent to complete the tasks, and had a higher probability of success as compared with at 2 weeks. With the MyoPro, participants showed significant improvement in overall task completion and completed the tasks in a significantly decreased time as compared with without the MyoPro. CONCLUSIONS: The MyoPro provides a stabilizing support to the weak arm of individuals after stroke and enables individuals to use their impaired arm to complete functional tasks independently in the home environment.