traumatic brain injury

Posted January 8th, 2009 by
Categories: straightguysca.com

Severely brain injured adult grabs at caregiver's clothing, towels while being showered, at own clothing while being dressed. Grip is very strong, not sure if this action is voluntary. Is there any product on the market that would restrain the hands when required. Would prefer if this product were a physical product rather than medication, but will look at all alternatives.

sun8-ga, No, there are no pictures of the restraints in the article. As I mentioned, it would be best if you contacted the Murdoch Foundation directly at: Murdoch Center Foundation 919-575-1000 and asked for contact number for the "Murdoch Center's Special Protective Device Clinic." The clinic made the splints for the research article and I am sure they would be willing to give you advice, work to make you something suited to your needs, or point you to a source where you could buy something suitable. Other than that clinic, I have found no special devices for sale. However, I also ran across a chat forum for caregivers of patients that have a problem with biting their hands. There are several suggestions from that string that may work for you. http://www.rettsyndrome.org/digests/00174.htm Some examples: "You can wrap a hand towel around her wrists (the long way) then twist it beyond her fingers and fold it back over her hand a second time. Secure this with a strong rubber band, once around the wrist then twist it over the bulky end piece. Angie has never bitten through the rubber bands, but that might be a potential problem if you use thin bands." Is there a brain injury clinic near you? Or a hospital rehab center that works with brain-injured patients? I am sure you are not the only caregiver experiencing these types of problems. I would contact them as well. My last suggestion would be a pair of mittens, or a wrap you make yourself to go around the hands and secure tightly with velcro. That way, the arms are mobile but their is no ability to grasp. However, my first suggestion is to call the Murdoch clinic. Hope this helps. umiat

I'm not a doctor but ... I'm told that compulsive holding is symptomatic of autism. When working with such patients, Nurses are advised to give them something soft that they can hold onto ... like a cloth for each hand, etc. Just a thought.

Hello, sun8-ga, I have not found anything specific online for hand restraints, but I did come up with a few references that might help. The article, "Utilizing Increased Response Effort To Reduce Chronic Hand Mouthing." Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis. 1998.at http://www.envmed.rochester.edu/wwwrap/behavior/jaba_articles_exp/1998/jaba-31-03-0375.pdf mentions that the Murdoch Center's Special Protective Device Clinic had constructed some special arm restraints for their particular study of preventing "hand mouthing" in two disabled individuals. The same article mentions various types of mittens used over the hands as well. "We thank the members of Murdoch Center's Special Protective Device clinic for their efforts in theconstruction and modifications of the arm restraints utilized in this study." You can read about the design of the arm restraints under the section "Apparatus." I understand that the hand gripping you are experiencing with your patient is far more severe than the "hand-mouthing," but it seems as if something like the arm restraints described might be the ideal solution in certain situations like showering or bathing. Of course, you would then need some type of solid, possibly rubberized mitten over the hand to prevent grip in other situations. The Murdoch Foundation web page is at http://www.murdochfoundation.org/. Though I do not see any references to their clinic on the site, it would be worth calling them for a referral to the clinic that made the devices in the above study. They might be able to make a customized restraint that fits your particular situation.I noticed from the web search that they have various clinics throughout the country, so the foundation would be the logical place for information. Contact: http://www.murdochfoundation.org/CONTACTS.htm ===== Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome, which involves patient self-mutilation, is one condition where various types of restraints are used to protect the individual from injury. "The general approach for dealing with Lesch-Nyhan self-injurious behaviors is employing protective devices. Using protective devices with this syndrome is different than the use of physical or chemical restrains with other conditions. Individuals with Lesch-Nyhan desire the use of protective devices because they do not want to injure themselves or others, but they know they will if they are not restrained. When left unrestrained,these individuals become upset and fearful. Well-engineered protective devices are enabling to individuals with Lesch-Nyhan because they allow them to carry on constructive activities." From the Eric Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Education at http://ericec.org/faq/lesch-ny.html It may be worth contacting one of the associations that deals with such rare disorders to see if they can offer you some advice. A list of organziations may be found at the National Organization for Rare Disorders at: http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Lesch%20Nyhan%20Syndrome I will continue to look and let you know if I find anything else, but for the time being, I certainly hope this provides a direction for you to pursue. My best to you! umiat-ga Google Search Strategy +disabilities +hand restraints Murdoch Center +protective +arm +restraints brain injury Lesch-Nyhan Disease organization

I could not get picture of the arm restraints from your link. I think I am looking for something that will immobilize the fingers like some type of hand splint that can be easily taken off and on and is comfortable to wear.

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