1 Assistant Executive Director, Committee on Prosthetics Research and Development, National Research Council, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20418. A PRIMARY function of the hand is prehension, the ability to grasp an object. While the hand can perform numerous types of grasp, of major importance is the type involving flexion of the index and middle fingers towards or against th...

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were: (i) to compare the neuro-prosthetic effect of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation to the orthotic effect of a standard of care intervention (no device, shoe or ankle foot orthosis) on walking, as assessed by spatiotemporal parameters; and (ii) to examine whether there is evidence of an enhanced lower-limb flexion reflex with peroneal nerve stimulation a...

The treatment of scoliosis has a long history dating back to Hippocrates and his luxation table. In recent history, conservative rehabilitation treatment methods have come and gone. Some have had more longevity than others and currently there are only a handful of these "schools" for rehabilitation in existence. What is important to note in this twenty-first century world is that any approach t...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate whether treatment with a carbon brace (CMCR) stops the progression of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents affected by combined or thoraco-lumbar scoliosis. METHOD We compared clinical features (hump and vital capacity) and radiolographic data (Cobb angle, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis) at ...

measurement of the loads exerted on the limb is a fundamental part of designing of an assistive device, which has been done by using strain gauges or a transducer. although calculation of loads applied on an orthosis coefficients achieved from calibration is a standard way, most of researchers determined the loads based on available equations. therefore, the aim of this research is finding the ...

background: over the years, various types of orthoses have been designed to assist subjects with spinal cord injury (sci) to stand and walk. however, the functional performance of the orthoses has not been adequate, that is, patients experience stability problems, consume excessive energy during ambulation, and generally require assistance in donning and doffing the devices. this research is ai...

Fig. 1. The exoskeleton for knee support. trol system for a powered orthosis is presented. The orthosis (as shown in Fig. 1) is used to support the thigh muscles during flexion and extension of the knee while performing common motions like getting up from a chair, walking, or climbing stairs. The user interface of the control system is implemented by evaluating EMG signals from significant thig...

This report has discussed a modification of the Kleinert orthosis presently in use and has reviewed some of the physiological mechanisms accompanying tendon repair and the use of early controlled mobilization. The hand is an essential tool required for daily functioning and work, which is a key concept in occupational therapy. Early controlled mobilization has demonstrated some definite benefit...