Long-Handled Sponges: To Bend or Not To Bend
By Sevey, Kimberly L., MOTR/L; Rice, Martin S., PhD, OTR/L; Assistive Technology, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 91-97Publication Date: Winter 2002
Study compares upper extremity range of motion when using a straight-handled sponge versus a bent-handled long-handled sponge. Range of motion can decreased with the onset of disorders such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, or cerebral vascular accident due to joint inflammation, pain, apraxia, weakness, or spasticity. Thirty-eight participants ranging in age from 20 to 44 years were randomly assigned to one of two order groups: straight-bent or bent-straight. The study task measured right upper extremity range of motion by having each participant touch a buzzer placed over thoracic vertebrae six and seven with the long-handled sponge. Significant range of motion differences were found in wrist flexion-extension, elbow flexion-extension, and shoulder abduction-adduction between the straight-handled and the bent-handled long-handled sponge. No significant differences were found with ulnar and radial deviation of the wrist, wrist supination-pronation, or shoulder flexion. These results suggest that within a normal population, the bent handle may be more beneficial to individuals who have decreased range of motion in shoulder abduction-adduction and wrist flexion-extension, while the straight handle may be more accommodating to people with decreased range of motion in the elbow.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J46742
