A descriptive study on the programs encountered by Hemiplegic patient's using single tip improvised cane as to ambulation, posture and transfer in Jose P. Rizal Hospital

Date of Completion

1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Migraine with Aura, Postural Balance, Ambulatory Care

Abstract

The use of an assistive device is already a need for those persons with ambulatory restrictions . In todays modern world we are faced with a lot of problems and difficulties. Problems and difficulties arising from our very human structure heightened by the demands of the modern society. Such is the need for us to work on this and innovate to make our lives less burdened. In our case a simple device., a single tip improvised cane made to provide assistance in ambulation, transfers, and its effect on the level of the shoulders in the standing posture, specifically in this case, CVA hemiplegic patients with ambulatory difficulties. The researchers are to identify the problems encountered by these patients using improvised cane as to ambulation , posture and transfer. This is a descriptive study aimed to identify the problems encountered by hemiplegic patients in using their improvised single tip cane in ambulation, posture and transfer from sitting position to standing. 5 CVA hemiplegic patients using improvised single tip cane will be the subject of the study. Patients using these single tip improvised cane was taken from Dr. J.P Rizal Memorial Center department files. An interview guide consisting of close-ended question written in Filipino was used in collecting the data. The questionnaire was used by the patients during ambulation (ascending/descending stairs, walking on different terrain, etc._ posture (standing only_ and transfer (from a standard 1 1/2 foot chair seat to standing). Questions will range from the problem encountered using the assistive device when ascending/descending stairs, walking on a smoot/rough surface (level ground), ascending descending inclines or ramps, the effect of using a single tip improvised cane in standing posture, problems encountered when transferring from a standards 1 1/2 foot chair seat to standing. These data were then tallied, bar graphs were constructed. Most problems are caused by the characteristics of the cane. Slips are caused by their improvised cane lacking a rubber tip. Instability in descending stairs is caused also by lacking a rubber tip so that the contact of the tip of the cane on the floor would be firm and stable. Lack of the rubber tip also causes the problems encountered in ambulation in a smooth surface. The shape of the handle also plays a major role in terms of handling the cane in ascending and descending ramps and especially when standing from a standard 1 1/2 foot chair seat. The length of the improvised cane affects the level of the shoulders in the standing posture. Since most improvised canes are improperly fitter it just conforms to the comfort of the patients. The only benefits that patients get from the improvised cane is its price. Since most of this improvised cane are cheap and some of them are not even bought they either came from a close relative or a friend carpenter. We respectfully recommend that patients be properly educated on the proper use of cane in different real life obstacles such as ascending/descending stairs ramps and different terrain. Patients should be instructed in the proper use of the cane, to hold the cane in the hand opposite the affected limb and to advance the cane and the affected legs in a three points gait pattern. When ascending stairs the good leg is advance first, but when descending, the cane and the afected leg lead. The groups also recommend the proper accessories on the cane especially the rubber tip, it helps the cane to be more stable, meaning less slippery, and therefore better control. we also recommend that canes have proper handle because it enables the patients to make use of the handle as a mechanical level in helping them to stand up, as in our case, from a 1 1/2 foot chair seat. The cane should be properly fitted meaning the cane length/height should be measured properly. A properly measured cane should equal the distance between the upper border of the greater trochanter to the bottom of the heel of the shoe, so that in standing with the cane, the elbow is flexed at 20-30 (degrees) both shoulders level. But because of individual variation in body position and arm lengths, the degree of flexion at the elbow is a more important indicator of correct cane height.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS