Importance

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Abstract

A garment designed to help in the physiological and psychological rehabilitation of a hemiplegic patient. Disposed on the shirt sleeves and the pants legs of the garment are graspable elements, such as hoops or handles. Within each of the shirt sleeves and pants legs are reinforced areas that are joined to the graspable elements. The reinforced areas branch out across the material of the shirt sleeve or the pants leg. As a result, when a pulling force is applied to the graspable element, the force is transferred throughout the sleeve or leg by the reinforced areas. This enables a sleeve to be pulled onto an arm or a pants leg to be pulled onto a leg by applying a pulling force to just one position, thereby providing the ability for a person to use a partially disabled arm when dressing. In a preferred embodiment, small weights are positioned within the garment at various points along the sleeves and pants legs. The weights provide an increased tactile sensation to the arms and legs as the arms and legs are moved. The enhanced tactile sensation promotes improved proprioception, thereby helping a hemiplegic patient recognize and control the position of their limbs when moving his/her limbs. Color coding is provided on the garment to facilitate exteroception.

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First Claim