Perceived risk: effects on reaching and placing performance in persons with cerebrovascular accident.

Objective: Developing useful movement with the affected extremity in persons with cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) is a common occupational therapy goal. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perceived risk in an occupational form on upper-extremity movement dynamics in persons who have had CVAs.

Method: Twenty-eight persons (M = 69.

Trowels labeled ergonomic versus standard design: preferences and effects on wrist range of motion during a gardening occupation.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine whether a garden trowel labeled ergonomic provided better wrist positioning when planting than a standard-designed trowel and whether participants perceived the ergonomic labeled trowel as more comfortable and easier to use than the standard-designed trowel.

Method: Participants included 64 females, ages 20-50 years, with no self-reported disease or disability impairing their preferred upper extremity. Participants used both trowels to fill flowerpots with soil in a randomized, repeated measures, counterbalanced design.

The immediate and short-term effects of a wrist extension orthosis on upper-extremity kinematics and range of shoulder motion.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate upper-extremity kinematics and range of shoulder motion while wearing a wrist extension orthosis compared to the free hand at initial testing and after a week's wear.

Method: A convenience sample of healthy women, ages 20-50 years, performed a stacking task and a pouring task, freehanded and splinted, at two times, 1 week apart in this counterbalanced, repeated measures design. A Motion Analysis 3-D system measured quality of movement and range of motion variables.

Range of motion at the wrist: a comparison study of four wrist extension orthoses and the free hand.

Objective: This study compared the total wrist range of motion permitted by four different styles of wrist extension orthoses and the free hand.

Method: Using a repeated-measures, counterbalanced design, 40 healthy female volunteers 20 to 39 years of age shot a basketball while free handed and while wearing each of four wrist extension orthoses: AlignRite; Rolyan D-Ring Long; Rolyan D-Ring Short; and a custom-made, thumb hole design orthosis. The motion at the wrist was measured by an electrogoniometer.

The relationship between hand strength and the forces used to access containers by well elderly persons.

Objective: This study extended previous work of Rice, Leonard, and Carter [AJOT, 52(8), 621-626] and examined the relationship between grip and pinch strengths and the forces produced while accessing common household containers in healthy, elderly persons.

Method: Forty-two women and 9 men 60 years of age and older were assigned randomly to one of four order groups in a counterbalanced, repeated-measures design. Grip strength was measured via a dynamometer and pinch strength via a pinch meter.