TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of the Sheffield Support Snood, an innovative cervical orthosis designed for people affected by neck muscle weakness
AU - Pancani, Silvia
AU - Rowson, Jennifer
AU - Tindale, Wendy
AU - Heron, Nicola
AU - Langley, Joe
AU - McCarthy, Avril D.
AU - Quinn, Ann
AU - Reed, Heath
AU - Stanton, Andrew
AU - Shaw, Pamela J.
AU - McDermott, Christopher J.
AU - Mazzà, Claudia
PY - 2016/2/1
Y1 - 2016/2/1
N2 - Background This study aimed at quantifying the biomechanical features of the Sheffield Support Snood, a cervical orthosis specifically designed for patients with neck muscle weakness. The orthosis is designed to be adaptable to a patient's level of functional limitation using adjustable removable supports, which contribute support and restrict movement only in desired anatomical planes. Methods The snood was evaluated along with two commercially available orthoses, the Vista and Headmaster, in a series of flexion, extension, axial-rotation and lateral flexion movements. Characterization was performed with twelve healthy participants with and without the orthoses. Two inertial-magneto sensors, placed on the forehead and sternum, were used to quantify the neck's range of motion. Findings In its less supportive configuration, the snood was effective in limiting movements to the desired planes, preserving free movement in other planes. The Headmaster was only effective in limiting flexion. The range of motion achieved with the snood in its rigid configuration was equivalent (P > 0.05, effect size < 0.4) to that achieved with the Vista, both in trials performed reaching the maximum amplitude (range of motion reduction: 25%-34% vs 24%-47%) and at maximum speed (range of motion reduction: 24%-29% vs 25%-43%). Interpretation The Sheffield Support Snood is effectively adaptable to different tasks and, in its most supportive configuration, offers a support comparable to the Vista, but providing a less bulky structure. The chosen method is suitable for the assessment of range of motions while wearing neck orthoses and is easily translatable in a clinical context.
AB - Background This study aimed at quantifying the biomechanical features of the Sheffield Support Snood, a cervical orthosis specifically designed for patients with neck muscle weakness. The orthosis is designed to be adaptable to a patient's level of functional limitation using adjustable removable supports, which contribute support and restrict movement only in desired anatomical planes. Methods The snood was evaluated along with two commercially available orthoses, the Vista and Headmaster, in a series of flexion, extension, axial-rotation and lateral flexion movements. Characterization was performed with twelve healthy participants with and without the orthoses. Two inertial-magneto sensors, placed on the forehead and sternum, were used to quantify the neck's range of motion. Findings In its less supportive configuration, the snood was effective in limiting movements to the desired planes, preserving free movement in other planes. The Headmaster was only effective in limiting flexion. The range of motion achieved with the snood in its rigid configuration was equivalent (P > 0.05, effect size < 0.4) to that achieved with the Vista, both in trials performed reaching the maximum amplitude (range of motion reduction: 25%-34% vs 24%-47%) and at maximum speed (range of motion reduction: 24%-29% vs 25%-43%). Interpretation The Sheffield Support Snood is effectively adaptable to different tasks and, in its most supportive configuration, offers a support comparable to the Vista, but providing a less bulky structure. The chosen method is suitable for the assessment of range of motions while wearing neck orthoses and is easily translatable in a clinical context.
KW - Accelerometers
KW - Biomechanics
KW - Cervical orthosis
KW - Inertial magneto units
KW - Neck movement
KW - Wearable sensors
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U2 - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.11.010
DO - 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.11.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 26673978
AN - SCOPUS:84959547135
VL - 32
SP - 201
EP - 206
JO - Clinical Biomechanics
JF - Clinical Biomechanics
SN - 0268-0033
ER -