Up to 70% of stroke survivors have reduced or no functional use of their arm following their stroke. Shoulder pain is present in up to 84% of patients and can occur from two weeks to several months post stroke. The achievement of good arm position can help to prevent or reduce pain, contractures, pressure problems and respiratory complications and is a recommended intervention in clinical guidelines.

The Stroke Arm Position Tool provides consistent and purposeful education to staff, patients and their carers on the correct position to place the arm. The project measurement was the use of 5 points in the Stroke Arm Position Tool, as a Yes/No scale to achieve the correct position for the stroke survivors arm whilst in bed.

The interventions to improve the positioning of the stroke arm were the Stroke Arm Position Tool above patient’s beds, staff education training on the correct position, and in the ward newsletter.

Prior to these interventions the correct arm position was being achieved on 3 out of 5 points, with only 41% scoring 5/5). After the interventions the average score improved to 4.6 out 5, with the correct position retained for up to two hours.

The Stroke Arm Position Tool supported the MDT staff, patients and carers in becoming more aware of good arm position and assisted in achieving consistently in positioning the stroke arm.

Published: March 2020