FLOATING ARM SUPPORTS: PRELIMINARY TRIALS AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.

A device known as Floating Arm Support for wheelchairs has been subjected to a series of preliminary trials in departments of geriatrics at four hospitals and at two centres for the physically handicapped resulting in first indications of its possible use as both an aid to mobility and also to therapy. In particular with a number of patients the device seemed to afford a retraining means during the early stages of recovery from hemiplegia. In order to reduce the bulkiness of the original open link floating arm support and to extend the effectiveness over a fuller volume of articulation, a new device called Close Fitting Arm Support consisting of a pantograph, a curved link universal joint, and a spring exerting a 'constant' force through a swivelling lever was designed and made.