The new-designed orthosis can significantly relieve pain, improve function, increase pain threshold and grip strength after application. This orthosis seemed to be more effective than counterforce orthosis in relieving pain and increasing the pain threshold probably due to the limitation of forearm supination.

Objective For patients with De Quervain syndrome using thumb spica orthosis is restricting, so many patient are dissatisfied with using static model. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of modified dynamic and conventional static orthoses on pinch power and functional abilities of hand in De Quervain syndrome. Method In this quasi-experimental study, palmar and lateral pinch strength of the thumb, pain and functional abilities of hand, patient's satisfaction of orthoses, were evaluated after using modified dynamic and conventional static orthosis in two groups. Results Both orthoses improved palmar and lateral pinch strength of the thumb, pain level and functional abilities. In comparison of mentioned variables, there was no significant difference between two groups regarding to pain recovery and abilities improvement (p > 0.05). However, the satisfaction level of the patients who had used dynamic orthosis was higher (p < 0.05). Conclusion It seems, adding a joint to the static thumb spica leads to patient's relief and consequently to their satisfaction. Implications for Rehabilitation The dynamic thumb spica, is easier to use and patients satisfaction is higher than static thumb spica. Therefore, it can be used for conservative treatment of De Quervain syndrome.

Objectives: Perceived risk of falling is an important factor for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigated the influence of ankle joint motion on postural stability and walking in people with SCI when using an orthosis. Methods: Volunteer subjects with SCI (n ¼ 5) participated in this study. Each subject was fitted with an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO) equipped with either solid or dorsiflexion-assist type ankle-foot orthosis (AFOs) and walked at their self-selected speed along a flat walkway to enable the comparison of walking speed, cadence and endurance. A force plate system and a modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) were utilized to measure postural sway and the perceived fear of falling, respectively. Results: There were significant differences in the mean MFES scores between two types of orthosis (P ¼ 0.023). When using two crutches, there was no significant difference in static standing postural sway in the medio-lateral (M/L) direction (P ¼ 0.799), but significant difference in the antero-posterior (A/P) direction (P ¼ 0.014). However, during single crutch support, there was a significant difference in both M/L (P ¼ 0.019) and A/P (P ¼ 0.022) directions. Walking speed (7%) and endurance (5%) significantly increased when using the ARGO with dorsi flexion assisted AFOs. There was no significant deference between two types of orthoses in cadence (P ¼ 0.54). Conclusions: Using an ARGO with dorsiflexion-assisted AFOs increased the fear of falling, but improved static postural stability and increased walking speed and endurance, and should therefore be considered as an effective orthosis during the rehabilitation of people with SCI.

Powered hip orthosis could be used by spinal cord injury patients. A major advantage of the orthotic gait training with powered hip orthosis was regeneration of hip movement closer to that of normal human walking. The orthotic gait training with the powered hip orthosis improved the kinematics and temporalspatial parameters in a spinal cord injury patient which also produced near-normal hip joint angle patterns during gait.

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