Normal subjects can increase their capacity to sustain hyperpnoea by bracing their arms on fixed objects, a procedure which is also known to reduce dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the present study, it was tested whether bracing per se could improve the function of the diaphragm. The effect of bracing on diaphragm function was studied in six normal sub...

The use of bracing in the treatment of mild idiopathic scoliosis is controversial. A study of 33 adolescents showed that bracing significantly decreased lung volumes. Functional residual capacity was reduced by a mean of 26%, 18% of children showing a reduction of greater than 40%. The mean reduction in total lung capacity was 16% and in forced vital capacity 18%. This restriction of lung funct...

BACKGROUND The current increase in types of scoliosis braces defined by a surname or a town makes scientific classification essential. Currently, it is a challenge to compare braces and specify the indications of each brace. A precise definition of the characteristics of current braces is needed. As such, the International Society for Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) m...

Purpose Bracing of the tongue against opposing vocal-tract surfaces such as the teeth or palate has long been discussed in the context of biomechanical, somatosensory, and aeroacoustic aspects of tongue movement. However, previous studies have tended to describe bracing only in terms of contact (rather than mechanical support), and only in limited phonetic contexts, supporting a widespread view...

BACKGROUND Although it is useful for COPD patients to relieve their dyspnea by bracing their arms, the relationships between the arm bracing posture and expiratory flow limitation (EFL) and lung volume are unknown. Whether arm bracing affects dyspnea, EFL, and lung volume in elderly COPD patients was investigated. METHODS Sixteen elderly subjects (median [interquartile range] age 81 [77-85] y...

Results The overall failure rate was 31% after bracing and 52% after observation. Age, gender, Risser, Sanders’ digital maturity stage (DMS), curve type and Cobb angle were all associated with outcome. DMS stages were more predictive of failure than Risser grade, even with age in the model. The best-fitting model included the DMS (1-2, 3, or 4+), Cobb angle, and treatment (p<0.0001, c statistic...

Bracing for juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has a long history of use. Effectiveness of conventional rigid bracing is highly variable, likely depending upon the skill of the practitioner, the type of brace selected, and the type of scoliosis being treated. In review of various bracing studies, Dolan and Weinstein found that bracing does not result in superior clinical outcomes comp...

Background Bracing treatment proved to be a useful conservative care treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients according to a Cochrane review. Prospective observational trials following the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) criteria for bracing studies and the SOSORT management criteria, can give other evidence on the effectiveness of bracing in AIS. The Sforzesco brace has be...

BACKGROUND Orthopedic bracing is used in conservative treatment of spinal curvatures. Apart from rigid braces, SpineCor dynamic braces with a flexible design have recently become available. The idea behind dynamic bracing is that derotational and correcting forces are transmitted via a system of corrective bands. The essence of this technique is maintenance of spine mobility while effecting a p...