Development and feasibility of a soft pneumatic-robotic glove to assist impaired hand function in quadriplegia patients: A pilot study.

One of the common disorders in people with quadriplegia is having a weak grip strength that can affect activities of daily living (ADL). This study presents the design of a soft robotic glove via pneumatic actuators and feasibility according to a range of motion (ROM) of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and user friendly. The soft robotic glove includes a neoprene cockup, two pumps, a controller that adjusts the pressure of the pumps, two-direction parts, and two silicone tubes placed on an index and middle fingers.

The effect of a semi-rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) on foot pressure in elderly subjects presenting with spinal hyperkyphosis.

The ageing process can be accompanied by a degeneration of the spine and increase the risk of thoracic hyperkyphosis (excessive spinal forward curvature) amongst elderly people. This condition can in turn impair mobility, reduce balance, and increase the risk of falling and mortality in affected individuals. The use of corrective orthotic bracing has been shown to improve spinal posture, and increase stability and balance amongst the elderly.

Effects of Two Different Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Postural Stability in Subjects with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

Study Design: Pilot study.

Purpose: Evaluation of two different hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses (HKAFOs; medial linkage reciprocating gait orthosis [MLRGO] and isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis [IRGO]) using gait and postural stability analysis in four subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Overview Of Literature: To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated postural stability in subjects with SCI when using MLRGO and IRGO.

Effect of spinal orthoses and postural taping on balance, gait and quality of life in older people with thoracic hyperkyphosis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Thoracic hyperkyphosis is one of the most common spinal disorders in older people, creating impairment, postural instability, gait disorders and a reduced quality of life. The use of spinal orthoses and/or postural taping may be feasible conservative interventions, but their efficacy is uncertain. The aim of this review is therefore to investigate the effectiveness of spinal orthoses and taping on the balance and gait of older people with hyperkyphosis.

Influence of Reciprocating Link When Using an Isocentric Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (IRGO) on Walking in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

Studies collectively imply that the reciprocal link has no effect on walking when using reciprocating gait orthoses (RGOs). There may be differences between the 2 configurations of the RGO (eg, isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis [IRGO] and IRGO without reciprocating link), but the specific benefits and problems encountered in their use must be understood. To highlight more evidence for the mechanical function of the reciprocal link in RGOs used for walking by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Effect of Orthotic Gait Training with Isocentric Reciprocating Gait Orthosis on Walking in Children with Myelomeningocele.

Mechanical orthoses are used to assist in standing and walking after neurological injury in children with myelomeningocele (MMC). : To evaluate the influence of orthotic gait training with an isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis (IRGO) on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of walking in children with MMC. Five children with MMC were fitted with an IRGO.

Comparison of the immediate efficacy of the Spinomed back orthosis and posture training support on walking ability in elderly people with thoracic kyphosis.

Background: The effect of spinal orthoses, including the Spinomed and posture training support (PTS) in improving balance and reducing falls in older people has been previously evaluated. However, there is little evidence available regarding their effect on the walking ability of older individuals with thoracic hyperkyphosis. This study was therefore designed to compare the immediate effect of the Spinomed orthosis and PTS on specific gait parameters in this patient group.

Efficacy of ankle foot orthoses types on walking in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Background: Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are orthotic devices that can be used to normalize the walking pattern of children with cerebral palsy (CP). One of the aims of orthotic management is to produce a more normal gait pattern by positioning joints in the proper position to reduce pathological reflex or spasticity.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the literature and establish the effect of treatment with various types of AFOs on gait patterns of children with CP.

Design, construction, and evaluation of "sensor lock": an electromechanical stance control knee joint.

Background And Aim: Most currently-available stance control knee ankle foot orthoses (SCKAFOs) still need full knee extension to lock the knee joint, and they are still noisy, bulky, and heavy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design, construct, and evaluate an original electromechanical SCKAFO knee joint that could feasibly solve these problems, and thus address the problems of current stance control knee joints with regards to their structure, function, cosmesis, and cost.

Method: Ten able-bodied (AB) participants and two (knee ankle foot orthosis) KAFO users were recruited to participate in the study.

The influence of new medial linkage orthosis on walking and independence in spinal cord injury patients: a pilot study.

In an effort to overcome the disadvantages of reciprocating gait orthoses (RGOs) and medial linkage orthoses (MLOs), a new design of MLO was developed. Therefore the aim of this study was comparison effect of a new reciprocating MLO and traditional isocentric RGO on gait parameters and functional independence (orthosis donning and doffing time) in spinal cord injury (SCI) subjects to provide more evidence of its efficacy. Four people with motor incomplete SCI participated in this study.

Gait and energy consumption in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A literature review.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive growth disease that affects spinal anatomy, mobility, and left-right trunk symmetry. The disease can modify human gait.

Objective: We aimed to review articles describing the measurement of gait parameters and energy consumption in AIS during walking without any intervention.

The effect of footwear adapted with a multi-curved rocker sole in conjunction with knee-ankle-foot orthoses on walking in poliomyelitis subjects: a pilot study.

Background: Knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) are used by people with poliomyelitis to ambulate. Whist advances in orthotic knee joint designs for use in KAFOs such the provision of stance control capability have proven efficacy, little attention has been paid to shoe adaptations which may also improve gait.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the alteration to the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of gait caused by the use of heel-to-toe rocker-soled footwear when ambulating with KAFOs.

The effect of thumb splinting on thenar muscles atrophy, pain, and function in subjects with thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

Background: When the first carpometacarpal joint of the wrist is immobilized using an orthosis to combat the effects of osteoarthritis, atrophy of the thenar muscles may occur.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the thenar muscle diameter and cross-sectional area, joint function, and pain, before and after being supplied with an orthosis in patients with grades 1 and 2 carpometacarpal osteoarthritis compared to a control group.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Efficacy of corrective spinal orthoses on gait and energy consumption in scoliosis subjects: a literature review.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a progressive growth disease that affects spinal anatomy, mobility, and left-right trunk symmetry. As a consequence, AIS can modify human gait. Spinal orthoses are a commonly used conservative method for the treatment of AIS.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Frozen Shoulder: A Case Report.

Frozen shoulder is a glenohumeral joint disorder that movement because of adhesion and the existence of fibrosis in the shoulder capsule. Platelet-rich plasma can produce collagen and growth factors, which increases stem cells and consequently enhances the healing. To date, there is no evidence regarding the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in frozen shoulder.

Evaluation of gait symmetry in poliomyelitis subjects: Comparison of a conventional knee-ankle-foot orthosis and a new powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis.

Background: Compared to able-bodied subjects, subjects with post-polio syndrome and poliomyelitis demonstrate a preference for weight-bearing on the non-paretic limb, causing gait asymmetry.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gait symmetry of the poliomyelitis subjects when ambulating with either a drop-locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis or a newly developed powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis.

Study Design: Quasi experimental study.

The effect of trunk extension on physiological cost index in spinal cord injury patients when using the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis: A pilot study.

Background: People with spinal cord injury walk with a flexed trunk when using reciprocating gait orthoses for walking. Reduction in trunk flexion during ambulation has been shown to improve gait parameters for reciprocating gait orthosis users.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on energy expenditure when spinal cord injury patients ambulate with an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis while wearing a thoracolumbosacral orthosis to provide trunk extension.

Comparison of gait between healthy participants and persons with spinal cord injury when using the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis.

Background: The advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO) has a rigid structure which provides restricted movement at the hip, knee, and ankle joints and incorporates a pelvic section with an extended section in the lumbar region. Healthy subjects, when walking with an RGO in situ, could feasibly demonstrate the level of limitation in movement imposed by ARGO-assisted ambulation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the function of the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis when fitted with the dorsiflexion-assist ankle-foot orthoses on temporal-spatial parameters and kinematics of walking in both able-bodied people and those with spinal cord injury.

Comparison of the efficacy of a neutral wrist splint and a wrist splint incorporating a lumbrical unit for the treatment of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: Different types of splints have been used as a conservative intervention to improve symptoms in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Although a number of studies have been undertaken to compare different splints, information and understanding of the influence of these interventions are lacking.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a classic thermoplastic wrist splint or a wrist splint with an additional metacarpophalangeal unit on pain, function, grip strength, and pinch strength in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

The physiological cost index of walking with a powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis in subjects with poliomyelitis: A pilot study.

Background: A powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis was developed to provide restriction of knee flexion during stance phase and active flexion and extension of the knee during swing phase of gait.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine its effect on the physiological cost index, walking speed and the distance walked in people with poliomyelitis compared to when walking with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis with drop lock knee joints.

Study Design: Quasi experimental study.

The influence of a powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis on walking in poliomyelitis subjects: A pilot study.

Background: Traditionally, the anatomical knee joint is locked in extension when walking with a conventional knee-ankle-foot orthosis. A powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis was developed to provide restriction of knee flexion during stance phase and active flexion and extension of the knee during swing phase of gait.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine differences of the powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis compared to a locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis in kinematic data and temporospatial parameters during ambulation.

The influence of trunk extension in using advanced reciprocating gait orthosis on walking in spinal cord injury patients: A pilot study.

Background: Spinal cord injury patients walk with a flexed trunk when using reciprocating gait orthoses. Reduction of trunk flexion during ambulation may produce an improvement in gait parameters for reciprocating gait orthosis users.

Objectives: To investigate the effect on kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters when spinal cord injury patients ambulate with an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis while wearing a thoracolumbosacral orthosis to provide trunk extension.

Influence of orthotic gait training with powered hip orthosis on walking in paraplegic patients.

Objectives: Gait training has been shown to improve the walking performance of spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients. The use of powered hip orthoses (PHO) during gait training is one approach which could potentially improve rehabilitative outcomes for such subjects. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the influence of a PHO on the kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters of walking by SCI patients.