Trunk restraint: Physical intervention for improvement of upper-limb motor impairment and function

Abstract

The physical intervention discussed here is task-related training combined with trunk restraint to limit motor compensation during reaching-and-grasping training. Children and adults with hemiparesis use excessive trunk movement to compensate for limitations in arm movement during reaching activities. Reaching and grasping with physical limitation of trunk movements (trunk restraint) leads to improvements in the quality of arm motor patterns (shoulder and elbow) and of upper-limb function. The intervention consists of task-oriented upper-limb therapy performed while movements of the trunk are limited by strapping the trunk to the back of a chair. The trunk restraint limits forward and lateral trunk displacement and rotation but allows scapular movement. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009.