Improved Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores after myoelectric arm orthosis use at home in chronic stroke: A retrospective study.
Sarah R Chang, Nicole Hofland, Zhengyi Chen and 3 others
PMID 38512001WHAT IT FOUND
In 19 adults with chronic stroke, using a myoelectric arm orthosis at home was associated with a mean DASH score improvement of 18.07 points.
Most participants reported better function, but this uncontrolled study cannot confirm the device caused the change.
Key findings
01Adjusted for covariates, the mean DASH score decreased by 18.07 points after using the orthosis, a change exceeding the minimal important change of 10 points.
02Seventeen of the 19 participants reported a lower DASH score after using the MyoPro, indicating perceived improvement in upper extremity function.
03Most participants (18 of 19) attended therapy while using the orthosis, and therapy success ratings were included as covariates, meaning the effect of the device alone cannot be isolated.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was uncontrolled, with no comparison group, making it impossible to attribute improvements solely to the MyoPro. The sample size was very small (n=19), limiting statistical power and generalizability. Participants were recruited from the manufacturer's database, introducing potential selection bias. Therapy attendance and other concurrent interventions were not controlled, and 18 of 19 participants attended therapy, so the specific contribution of the orthosis cannot be separated from the therapy. The study relied entirely on self-reported DASH scores without objective physical measures like strength or range of motion. The study was funded and partly staffed by the device manufacturer (Myomo, Inc.), creating a significant conflict of interest.
Declared interests
The study was funded by Myomo, Inc. Several authors were employees of Myomo, Inc. or received compensation from the company for the coordination, execution, or statistical analysis of the research. One author serves on the Clinical Advisory Board of Myomo, Inc.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the 18-point DASH improvement as proof that the MyoPro alone causes functional recovery. The study was uncontrolled, funded by the manufacturer, and most participants also attended therapy, so the observed gains cannot be separated from the effects of concurrent treatment or natural variability.