A follow up of the affected upper extremity of stroke patients discharged from rehabilitation using a wheeled walker

Stroke patients who require a walking aid usually use a cane since the recovery of the affected upper extremity is insufficient to allow the use of a bilateral device. A sample group of 61 consecutive stroke patients admitted to rehabilitation received remedial treatment to their affected upper extremity, concentrating on the movements required for pushing a wheeled walker. Eighty-six percent of the patients who regained their walking ability were able to use a wheeled walker. The motor and functional recovery of the upper extremity of these patients was followed up and found to improve significantly. The aim of this study is to propose the wheeled walker as a useful walking device, which assists in the treatment, maintenance and reintegration of the affected upper extremity into daily function.