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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of daily soft brace wearing on plantar dynamics during walking in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). MethodsA total of 52 patients with unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI) in Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital from February, 2021 to January, 2023 were randomly divided into control group (n = 26) and experimental group (n = 26). Both groups underwent an eight-week exercise training program. The control group wore placebo brace during daily activities, while the experimental group wore soft ankle brace. Plantar dynamic parameters were measured using a pressure plate system during walking, including peak plantar pressure and plantar impulse before and after intervention. ResultsSix participants dropped out in the control group and five in the experimental group, resulting in a final inclusion of 41 participants. After intervention, there was no significant difference in peak plantar pressure and impulse on the affected side in the control group among different areas (P > 0.05). In the experimental group, the peak pressure and impulse in the heel medial, heel lateral and forefoot medial areas increased (|t| > 4.192, P < 0.001), while the peak pressure and impulse in the midfoot and lateral forefoot areas decreased (t > 2.984, P < 0.05); the peak pressure and impulse in the heel medial, heel lateral and forefoot medial areas were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.126, P < 0.05), and the peak pressure and impulse were lower in the midfoot and forefoot lateral areas (t > 2.133, P < 0.05). ConclusionWearing a soft brace during daily activities may optimize the distribution of peak plantar pressure and plantar impulse on the affected side in patients with CAI, which may prevent recurrence of sprains.
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The investigation of this observational case-control study aimed at determining the effectiveness of a combined treatment of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF) with a soft elastic knee brace versus ELF alone in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with respect to a reduction in pain and functional recovery. We hypothesized that the combined use of ELF and a soft elastic knee brace may provide better results. Thirty-five patients (N = 35, divided into Group 1 = ELF and Group 2 = ELF with the soft elastic knee brace) were analyzed. The rehabilitative protocol consisted of 10 sessions of antiphlogistic and antiedema programs (first cycle) for 2 weeks, followed by twelve sessions of bone repair and connective tissue repair programs (second cycle) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) for 4 weeks. Patient evaluations were conducted at baseline (T0) and after 2 (T1) and 4 (T2) weeks of treatment. A follow-up evaluation was conducted 6 weeks after treatment (T3). The LIMFA© Therapy System was used to create multifrequency magnetoelectric fields with an intensity of 100 µT and a low-frequency field. The Incrediwear Cred 40 knee sleeve (Incred) was used for alleviating knee pain. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Lysholm score (Ls) were used as outcome measures. The results showed that pain at rest (Vr), pain in motion (Vm), KOOS, and Ls were significantly affected by ELF over time. In conclusion, Group 2 had a better response in terms of pain resolution at rest (p < 0.05) and a concurrent better response at T3 in terms of functional recovery (p < 0.05).
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Background: Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a hereditary disease characterized by increased fragility of the epidermis and mucosa and is accompanied by blister formation following minor trauma. Repeated injuries cause contracture and scar formation, which can further result in hand deformity, leading to a decline in hand ability and a lower quality of life. In this study, after the scar release of patients' hands, we developed a new and practical portable soft support, and evaluated its efficacy in delaying the scar contracture of hands after operation. Methods: According to the hand function scores, the patients were divided into two groups. Those with excellent and good grades were assigned to the open hand function group, and those with poor grades were allocated to the restricted hand function group. The primary conditions, the use of a postoperative soft brace, and some common factors in the two groups were compared to determine whether these parameters influence postoperative hand function. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, ADL assessment index, albumin concentration, hemoglobin concentration, fasting blood glucose level, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time between the two groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the use of soft braces following the operation (p < 0.05). The odds ratio of patients fixed with a brace compared with patients not fixed with soft braces was 11.01. Conclusions: Soft brace is a critical factor impacting the hand function of patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa after scar contracture release in both hands. Indeed, a hand brace worn after the operation can delay the recurrence of scar contracture in both hands and offer patients a longer time to use their hands effectively. In addition, by restoring the appearance of patients' hands and some hand functions, patients' mental state and quality of life have been greatly improved.
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Scoliosis is an abnormality of the spinal curvature that severely affects the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and nervous systems. Conventionally, it is treated using rigid spinal braces. These braces are static, rigid, and passive in nature, and they (largely) limit the mobility of the spine, resulting in other spinal complexities. Moreover, these braces do not have precise control over how much force is being applied by them. Over-exertion of force may deteriorate the spinal condition. This article presents a novel active soft brace that allows mobility to the spine while applying controlled corrective forces that are regulated by varying the tensions in elastic bands using low-power light weight twisted string actuators (TSAs). This article focuses on the actuator and contact force modeling of the active soft brace (ASB). The actuator modeling is required to translate the twisting of string in terms of contraction of the string's length, whereas the contact force modeling helps in estimating the net resultant force exerted by the band on the body using single point pressure/force sensors. The actuators (TSAs) are modeled as helix geometry and validated using a laser position sensor. The results showed that the model effectively tracked the position (contraction in length) with root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.7386 mm. The contact force is modeled using the belt and pulley contact model and validated by building a custom testbed. The actuator module is able to regulate the pressure in the range 0-6 Kpa, which is comparable to 0-8 Kpa pressure regulated in rigid braces. This makes it possible to verify and demonstrate the working principle of the proposed active soft brace.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the immediate effect of wearing a soft ankle brace on dynamic and static balance function and biomechanics of affected lower limbs during walking in chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients. MethodsFrom January to August, 2021, 40 CAI patients from Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University were measured dynamic and static balance indexes with Zebris FDM-System and Y balance test, before and after wearing a soft ankle brace; while the kinetics indexes and surface electromyography of the affected lower extremities during walking were collected with Zebris FDM-System and a surface electromyography telemeter simultaneously. ResultsThe velocity and area of center of pressure reduced in both open and closed eye modes (|t| > 2.876, P < 0.01), the Y-balance scores increased in all the directions (|t| > 21.212, P < 0.001) after wearing brace; while the peak pressures and impulses increased in the midfoot and medial forefoot regions (|t| > 2.057, P < 0.05), and decreased in the lateral heel, lateral forefoot and toe regions (|t| > 2.464, P < 0.05), and the root mean square of surface electromyography increased in the tibialis anterior and lateral gastrocnemius (|t| > 2.159, P < 0.05) during walking. ConclusionWearing soft brace can immediately improve dynamic and static balance of CAI patients, and optimize plantar kinetic distribution and enhance activation of the anterior tibial and the lateral head of gastrocnemius of the affected limb during walking, to improve motor control of CAI patients.
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Objective To study the effects of different types of ankle brace on human body static postural stability.Method Ten male subjects with unilateral functional ankle instability (FAI)were enrolled in the study.The FlexiForce pressure control system was used to control the pressure on the ankles when wearing the soft brace.The static postural stability without braces as well as with soft and semi-rigid braces was measured using WIN-POD system.Results (1)In eye-open testing,no significant difference was found in indexes of COP sway between wearing or not wearing braces (P＞0.05).Compared with wearing semi-rigid brace,significant increase was observed in the average X dev when wearing soft braces (P＜0.05).(2)In eye-close testing,no significant differences were found in COP sway either wearing braces or not,as well as wearing different braces.Conclusion Wearing soft and semi-rigid brace had no effects on the static postural stability of FAI patients.But the static balance ability of wearing semi-rigid braces is better than that of wearing soft braces.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of kinesiotape, non-elastic tape, and soft brace on segmental foot kinematics during drop landing in subjects with chronic ankle instability and healthy subjects. DESIGN: Controlled study with repeated measurements. SETTING: Three-dimensional motion analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty participants with chronic ankle instability and 20 healthy subjects. INTERVENTIONS: The subjects performed drop landings with 17 retroreflective markers on the foot and lower leg in four conditions: barefoot, with kinesiotape, with non-elastic tape and with a soft brace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ranges of motion of foot segments using a foot measurement method. RESULTS: In participants with chronic ankle instability, midfoot movement in the frontal plane (inclination of the medial arch) was reduced significantly by non-elastic taping, but kinesiotaping and bracing had no effect. In healthy subjects, both non-elastic taping and bracing reduced that movement. In both groups, non-elastic taping and bracing reduced rearfoot excursion in inversion/eversion significantly, which indicates a stabilisation effect. No such effect was found with kinesiotaping. All three methods reduced maximum plantar flexion significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Non-elastic taping stabilised the midfoot best in patients with chronic ankle instability, while kinesiotaping did not influence foot kinematics other than to stabilise the rearfoot in the sagittal plane. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01810471.