Effectiveness of orthotic devices in the treatment of forward head posture: A systematic review.

Forward head posture (FHP), defined as the anterior positioning of the cervical spine where the head protrudes forward in relation to the body's vertical line, has become increasingly common, primarily due to sedentary lifestyles and extensive use of technology, impacting approximately 66% of the population. This condition frequently leads to secondary hyperkyphosis and various musculoskeletal problems, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention strategies. A systematic review was performed across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, encompassing studies published until June 2024.

Clinical and biomechanical outcomes of orthotic devices for progressive collapsing foot deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) represents a progressive medial longitudinal arch collapse of the foot. This study reviewed the clinical and biomechanical efficacy of orthotic interventions for PCFD.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, resulting in 14 studies.

Remapping Body Representation Using Virtual Reality in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Systematic Review.

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) is a common consequence of neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and phantom limb pain (PLP). These conditions are often associated with distorted body representation (BR) and altered sensory processing. Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, multisensory experiences that can modulate attention, recalibrate BR, and potentially alleviate pain.

Evaluation of a New Patellar Tendon Bearing Brace With Offloading Monitoring and Adjustability: A Pilot Study.

Background And Aims: The patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) brace is a crucial device designed to lessen axial forces on the tibia. The newly designed PTB brace allows clinicians to measure offloading amount in the realtime. This study aimed to explore the relationship between a rise in displacement between the foot plate and calf shells of this new PTB brace and changes in the amount of offloading on the tibia.

Gait and muscle activity measures after biomechanical device therapy in subjects with ankle instability: A systematic review.

Introduction: Health specialists suggest a conservative approach comprising non-pharmacological interventions as the initial course of action for individuals with repetitive ankle sprain due to ankle instability. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of biomechanical devices (Foot Orthoses, Ankle Orthoses, and Taping) on gait and muscle activity in individuals with ankle instability.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical Trials.

A case series on the effect of dynamic neoprene orthosis on lower limb kinematic variables in children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a dynamic neoprene orthosis on kinematic variables of gait in children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Five children (whose median age was 9.6 years and who ranged in age from six to 12) with spastic bilateral CP and flexed knee at levels I-III of the Gross Motor Function Classification System were examined using kinematic gait analysis in three different conditions: 1) with dynamic neoprene orthosis; 2) without dynamic neoprene orthosis (immediate effect); and 3) without orthosis after six weeks of intervention.

Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People With Mobility Impairments.

Background: Although physical activity (PA) is an important determinant of health, physically disabled individuals tend to have a sedentary lifestyle. The Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Mobility Impairments (BPAQ-MI) is a self-report instrument evaluating PA barriers. This study was intended to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of BPAQ-MI (P-BPAQ-MI) and to report the prevalence and severity of PA barriers among Persian-speaking individuals.

The Efficacy of "Anatomical Posture Control Orthosis" on the Activity of Erector spinae Muscle, Risk of Falling, Balance Confidence, and Walking Speed in Osteoporotic Hyperkyphotic Subjects.

Background: Osteoporosis is a silent and asymptomatic disease that leads to thoracic hyperkyphosis, which can interfere with the normal function of the paraspinal musculature and balance control. There is no evidence regarding the effect of the anatomical posture control (APC) orthosis in older people with osteoporotic thoracic hyperkyphosis. This study aimed to examine the effects of this novel orthosis on the electromyography (EMG) of the erector spinae (ES) and balance control in this group of patients.

Effects of vibro-medical insoles with and without vibrations on balance control in diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a total-contact insole with and without subthreshold mechanical random noise on the balance control in diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy. Twenty diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate neuropathy was recruited to this study. A total-contact insole was prototyped and vibratory motors were embedded into it.

First prototype of EMG-controlled power hand orthosis for restoring hand extension in stroke patients.

Weakness in finger extensors is a common post-stroke deficit that can disturb hand functioning. Despite introducing several powered hand orthoses in literature, most of these devices focused on providing finger flexion. There is a little consideration for providing active hand extension in stroke patients.

The effects of vibro-medical insole on sensation and plantar pressure distribution in diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy.

Background: The first aim of this study was to determine the effect of a vibro-medical insole on pressure sensation and the second was to measure the effects of a vibro-medical insole with and without random noise on plantar pressure distribution in diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy.

Methods: Twenty patients with mild-to-moderate diabetic neuropathy were recruited in the clinical trial pre-test, post-test study. A medical insole was made for each participant and a vibratory system was inserted into it.

Comparison of the effect of foot orthoses on Star Excursion Balance Test performance in patients with chronic ankle instability.

Background:: Chronic ankle instability as a prevalent consequence of ankle sprain causes various impairments such as balance and postural control deficits. Foot orthoses are one of the common interventions for rehabilitation of patients with chronic ankle instability.

Objectives:: To investigate the effect of custom-molded foot orthoses with textured surfaces on dynamic balance of chronic ankle instability patients and to compare their effects with other types of foot orthoses.

The effects of Vibro-medical insole on vibrotactile sensation in diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral sensory neuropathy seems to be the main risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration. Previous studies demonstrated that stochastic resonance can improve the vibrotactile sensation of diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Vibro-medical insole on pressure and vibration sensation in diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate peripheral neuropathy.

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 vibration on postural control and gait of elderly subjects: a systematic review.

Background And Aim: Gait and balance disorders are common in the elderly populations, and their prevalence increases with age. This systematic review was performed to summarize the current evidence for subthreshold vibration interventions on postural control and gait in elderly.

Method: A review of intervention studies including the following words in the title/abstract: insole, foot and ankle appliances, vibration, noise and elderly related to balance and gait.

Design and evaluation of vibratory shoe on balance control for elderly subjects: technical note.

Background And Aim: Aging often results in a decline in somatosensory function, and such changes are associated with diminished motor performance. Input noise can enhance sensory and motor function through a mechanism known as stochastic resonance (SR). This paper describes the development and testing of a new vibrating shoe to possibly assist the elderly patients in controlling their balance and decreasing their falling risks.

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 Influence of Rocker Bar Ankle Foot Orthosis on Gait in Patients with Chronic Hemiplegia.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rocker bar ankle foot orthosis (RAFO) on the spatiotemporal characteristics of gait in chronic hemiplegic patients compared with the effect of solid ankle foot orthosis (SAFO).

Methods: Following ethical approval, 18 patients with chronic hemiplegia, at least 6 months post stroke, were investigated in barefoot condition, with SAFO and RAFO in random sequences. Their spatiotemporal characteristics were examined by 2 force platforms and a Vicon motion analysis system.

The clinical and biomechanical effects of subthreshold random noise on the plantar surface of the foot in diabetic patients and elder people: A systematic review.

Background: Central nervous system receives information from foot mechanoreceptors in order to control balance and perform movement tasks. Subthreshold random noise seems to improve sensitivity of the cutaneous mechanoreceptor.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review published evidence conducted to evaluate the clinical and biomechanical effects of subthreshold random noise on the plantar surface of the foot in diabetic patients and elder people.

Effect of Dynamic Elastomeric Fabric Orthoses on Postural Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) on postural control in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Ten children with spastic diplegic CP and 10 children with typical development participated. Knee extension was measured using electrogoniometry.

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 aging on gait parameters in able-bodied older subjects: a literature review.

Background: Gait disorders are common in the elderly populations, and their prevalence increases with age. Abnormal gait has been associated with greater risk for adverse outcomes in older adults, such as immobility and falls, which in turn lead to loss of functional independence and death.

Aim: The purpose of this review was to evaluate all of the original papers that measured gait parameters in the healthy elderly subjects.

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.