spinal cord injury (sci) is damage to spinal cord, which is categorized according to the extent of functional loss, sensation loss and inability of the subjects to stand and walk. the patients use two transportation systems including orthosis and wheelchair. it was claimed that standing and walking bring some benefits such as decreasing bone osteoporosis, prevention of pressure sores, and impro...

This study examined the use of a bidirectional, patient-directed orthosis that used the principles of static progressive stress to improve forearm rotation. Thirty-eight patients who had limited pronation and supination motions after injuries and who failed other physical therapy techniques underwent a 30- to 60-minute stretching protocol with the orthosis one to three times per day. The mean a...

BACKGROUND Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise has been used in health sciences. Authors have reported that changes on the concentration of plasma biomarkers could be associated with the WBV effects. The aim of this investigation is to assess the consequences of exposition of 25 Hz mechanical vibration generated in oscillating/vibratory platform (OVP) on the concentration of some plasma biomark...

Plastics are extensively used as a material for orthoses. However, one remaining problem is the ventilation of the orthosis. This is a real problem in countries such as Japan, where it is hot and humid especially in summer. The authors have invented a new orthosis "POROPLAST", which is made of mesh plastic sheets, combined in a cross-like weave. These orthoses provide good ventilation and are v...

Background During speech, larynx is higher in the neck for high-pitched sounds and lower for low-pitched sounds. Patients with different problems in cervical and cervicothoracic spine use cervical orthosis to limit cervical motion. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Minerva orthosis on larynx height in young, healthy volunteers. Subjects and methods This study included 18 subjects. A...

A single-subject rapidly alternating treatment design was used to compare the effectiveness of bilateral hand splints and an elbow orthosis in decreasing stereotypic hand behaviors and increasing toy play in 2 children with Rett syndrome. The subjects' responses were compared across three treatment conditions: no intervention, hand splints, and elbow orthosis. The order of the treatment phases ...

The correct choice and customization of an orthosis are crucial to obtain the best comfort and efficiency. This study explored the feasibility of a multivariate quantitative assessment of the functional efficiency of lower limb orthosis through a novel wearable system. Gait basographic parameters and energetic indexes were analysed during a Six-Minute Walking Test (6-MWT) through a cost-effecti...

The purpose of this pilot investigation was to develop a method to test the influence of specific prosthetic features in preventing trans-tibial amputees from walking like able-bodied subjects. An able-bodied subject was fitted with a patellar-tendon-bearing orthosis incorporating several features of an amputee's prosthesis. Kinetic, kinematic and metabolic data were collected as features were ...

The aim of this study was to determine whether the treatment of abnormal subtalar pronation restores functional (as opposed to structural) limited dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (functional hallux limitus). We studied 16 feet of eight individuals with abnormal subtalar pronation. Orthoses were made for all of the feet, and hallux dorsiflexion was measured during weightbeari...