Precise Evaluation
It is estimated that every five minutes one person will have a stroke and the road to recovery will depend not only on the patient themselves, but on the resources and interventions available to them. Measuring the effectiveness of these interventions is accepted as being central to good practice.
E-LINK is the ideal system to quantify and monitor the effectiveness of certain interventions in Stroke rehabilitation, particularly as the process is lengthy for many of these patients. Grip and pinch strength, weight-bearing balance are essential functional elements in achieving many activities of daily living and these may be closely monitored with E-LINK. It is an effective supportive resource for clinicians seeking the optimal recovery outcomes for stroke patients in their care.
- E-LINK devices are designed for accuracy, ease and speed of data collection as well as being sensitive to assess very small measurements
- Formal standardized evaluation of grip and pinch strength can therefore commence very early in acute stroke care and continue throughout the full rehabilitation process
- Weight-bearing ForcePlates are perfect to assess the symmetry and stability of the patient's standing balance and may also be used for seated balance assessment
- Progress Reports are easily generated and may be utilized as definitive clinical outcome measures
- Data is readily exported for audit and research purposes
E-LINK Dynamometer
The Dynamometer registers as little as 0.1kg/lb measurement through to a maximum of 90kg (200lbs). This enables the patient's grip strength to be assessed very early in acute stroke care and then regularly monitored throughout the full process. The progress reports help both the patient and Therapist assess the effectiveness of the therapy undertaken.
The following tests, using the Dynamometer with E-LINK software, can be carried out quickly and accurately and include assessments that cannot be undertaken with a manual device:
Standard Peak Force Grip Test (1/4)
The software automatically calculates the average grip and the coefficient of variation percentage.
Sustained Grip Test (2/4)
This test measures force over time for a 5, 10, 15 or 30 sec interval. Peak force, time to reach peak force, average to peak ratio percentage (sustainability) and fatigue rate are automatically calculated and immediately displayed. The current graph can be compared with a prior test to analyze progress.
Rapid Exchange Grip Test (3/4)
Undertaken for the detection of sub-maximal effort, this test is easily performed and documents the results in both graph and table form.
Progress Reports (4/4)
Progress Reports can be readily generated covering a maximum of 10 tests and the data is displayed in both graph and table format. Automatic calculations show the percentage of change from one session to another, the percentage of change from the first test and the percentage comparison to standard, normative Jamar data for both pediatric and adult values.
E-LINK Pinchmeter
The Pinchmeter easily and accurately measures a patient's pinch strength from 0.1kg/lb measurement through to a maximum of 22kg (50lbs). The device accommodates positioning for key pinch, three jaw and tip-to-tip measurements.
It has a unique, low profile design that permits measurement to be undertaken at a point closer to the end range than any other Pinchmeter device, either manual or electronic.The software quickly and easily records the following:
Standard Peak Force Pinch Test (1/3)
This test can be taken for the key (lateral), three jaw (tri-pod) and tip to tip positions. Three trials per position can be recorded and the software automatically calculates the average Pinch measurement and the co-efficient of variation percentage.
Sustained Pinch Test (2/3)
This test measures force over time for a 5, 10, 15 or 30 sec interval. Peak force, time to reach peak force, average to peak ratio percentage (sustainability) and fatigue rate are automatically calculated and immediately displayed. The current graph can be compared with a prior test to analyze progress.
E-LINK ForcePlates
Assessment of weight bearing stability and balance for the Stroke patient can be a major challenge for clinicians. The E-LINK Dual Axis ForcePlate System provides the solution by scientifically quantifying the symmetrical weight distribution of the patient in both anterior-posterior (front/back) and medial-lateral (left/right) axes simultaneously. It accurately and objectively assesses the patient's ability to maintain postural stability on a static surface and evaluates progress over time as an outcome measure.
- 4 ForcePlates are placed in a standardized BaseFrame and a specialized cable connects the ForcePlates to the X4 InterX Unit which is the USB interface to the computer
- The standing balance assessment, undertaken for 5, 10, 15, 30 or 60 second test, measures fluctuations in the weight distributed over the ForcePlates
- The results are displayed both in text and graph format for immediate feedback and analysis, with the average % deviation from the center documenting the symmetry of the patient's stance and the standard deviation % documenting stability
- The position of the ForcePlates may be varied within the BaseFrame to accommodate different stance widths
- Foot position can be standardized and documented for each test, thus reducing variability for test to re-test reliability
- Up to 10 tests can be compared simultaneously for progress reporting over time and may be used as an outcome measure
- Standing Balance Training Exercise can immediately follow the Balance Evaluation
- The ForcePlates may also be used to assess seated balance and can even be placed under the wheels of a wheelchair where applicable (each ForcePlate accepts 100kg weight)
- As an alternative, 2 ForcePlates can be connected to the X4 InterX Unit for seated balance assessment and exercise or for bilateral upper limb assessment and exercise…for example when needing to move from sit to stand, and the real-time display in the software gives immediate feedback both to the patient and Therapist
- The versatile modularity of E-LINK enables the ForcePlates to be used in many different ways for patients undergoing Stroke rehabilitation - an effective valuable resource for the Clinician