Effectiveness of a Self-Help Device to Aid Hemiplegic Patients Open Oval-Shaped Canning Lids with a Single Hand: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Purpose: Patients who can only use one of their upper limbs experience difficulties in opening the lids of full-open-end cans. Thus, we developed a self-help device consisting of a cord and J-shaped hook. This device allows the user to pull a tab fixed to the end of the can with the body, enabling the lid to be opened with one hand. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the device by comparing it with a spoon for opening the lids of cans.

Methods: The study participants were 28 hemiplegic individuals. They were taught to use a device that involves leaning their body backward instead of pulling a tab with their fingers as well as using a spoon to open a lid. They were then asked to open the lid using only one hand. Next, we judged whether the participants could perform the movements, and measured the time taken to open the can using video recording.

Results: All the participants successfully opened the can with the device and its use greatly reduced the opening time.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that this device is effective in helping hemiplegic individuals open cans. They also demonstrate that this self-help device created from cheap, everyday components enables hemiplegic individuals to open can lids without difficulty.