Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 44-52
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijash.20260207
The Effectiveness of Custom-Made Shoulder Brace in Standing Posture and Gait Variability in Subjects with Post-Stroke Shoulder Subluxation
Dheeraj1, Fiona Verma2, Smita Nayak3
1Prosthetist and Orthotist, Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar East, New Delhi, India
2Prosthetist and Orthotist, Artificial Limbs Centre (ALC), Indian Railway Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research & Northern Railway Central Hospital, New Delhi, India
3Demonstrator, Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, Delhi University, New Delhi, India
Corresponding Author: Dheeraj
ABSTRACT
Background: Hemiplegia is a non-progressive disorder that causes paralysis on one side of the body. Post-stroke hemiplegia often results in shoulder subluxation, impaired posture, and gait abnormalities, which adversely affect functional mobility. Observational studies suggest that orthoses, such as shoulder orthoses, reduce vertical subluxation of the shoulder. Therefore, proper treatment with customized orthotic intervention targeting shoulder stability is more effective for improving shoulder subluxation, to improve posture and gait.
Aims and Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a custom-made shoulder brace on standing posture and gait variability in subjects with post-stroke hemiplegia.
Methodology: 15 participants of the age group 40-65 years with post-stroke hemiplegia participated in the study, which was a pre- test post-test experimental study design. The standing posture and gait variability data were evaluated using a posture analysis system. A custom shoulder brace was designed to maintain the shoulder. Pre-test data of posture and gait were evaluated without orthosis. A custom shoulder brace was given to the subjects for 4 weeks, and post- test data were collected.
Results: The results showed a significant improvement in standing posture parameters, including head alignment, ASIS alignment, and lateral trunk alignment, with p < 0.005 except in acromion alignment with p > 0.005. Gait analysis showed significant improvements in ankle angle, knee angle, hip angle, rear-foot angle, and pelvic drop with p < 0.005, except gait variability with p > 0.005.
Conclusions: The custom-made shoulder brace demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving posture and gait variability among post-stroke hemiplegic subjects.
Keywords: Post-stroke hemiplegia, GaitOn, Custom- made shoulder brace, Shoulder subluxation, standing posture, gait variability.
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