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Disabil Rehabil 2019 Apr 12:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

a Department of Counseling, Health & Kinesiology , Texas A&M University-San Antonio , San Antonio , TX, USA.

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of consumer-grade wrist-worn activity monitors during over ground walking in persons using lower-limb prosthetics.

Method: Thirty-two participants using lower-limb prosthetics (age = 49.7 ± 14. Read More

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2019 Apr 3. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

University of Delaware, Department of Physical Therapy, Delaware Limb Loss Studies, Newark, DE.

Objective: For individuals with lower-limb loss (LLL), functional mobility (i.e. K-level) classification can be subjective. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2019 Mar 29:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

f John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research , The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia.

Objective: We aimed to describe the causes, types, and consequences of lower limb amputation and the demographics of subjects with such amputation who attended a tertiary rehabilitation center in Bangladesh, Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from subjects with lower limb amputation who attended a specialized rehabilitation center between January 2014 and August 2016. Telephone interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2019 Mar 21:309364619837794. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background:: Immobilization, using a shoulder abduction brace, may be important after rotator cuff repair to achieve successful tendon-to-bone healing. Compliance with wear time is a concern.

Objectives:: Therefore, the abduction brace wearing time was assessed with temperature-sensitive sensors to objectively measure the abduction brace wearing compliance rate. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2019 Mar 18:1-8. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

a Mechanical Engineering Department , Sharif University of Technology , Tehran , Iran.

Objective: To investigate the kinematics, functional sub-tasks, and excitation levels of the trunk and upper extremity muscles of paraplegic subjects during walker-assisted locomotion.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Gait analysis laboratory. Read More

Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2019 Apr 7;233(4):407-413. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

2 Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK.

The medial longitudinal arch of the foot is a dynamic structure while walking. The mobility of this structure in people with flexible flatfoot is partially or completely absent. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an insole that was designed to retrieve the medial longitudinal arch mobility in people with flatfoot. Read More

Foot Ankle Int 2019 Feb 27:1071100719833993. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

3 Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background:: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with postural control impairment. Orthotic devices are routinely used to improve postural control of CAI patients and prevent recurrence of ankle sprain. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of combined mechanism ankle support (CMAS) with soft ankle support (SAS) and custom-molded foot orthosis (CFO) on static and dynamic postural control in patients with CAI. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Feb 21;25:1392-1400. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Pain, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND Traditional ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are not effective in treating plantar fasciitis, while customized 3-dimensional (3D) printed ankle-foot orthoses are effective in treating many ankle-foot diseases. This study investigated the effects of customized 3D printed AFOs on biomechanics and comfort of the plantar foot in plantar fasciitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients with bilateral plantar fasciitis aged 31-60 years participated in this study. Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2019 Feb 14:309364619825607. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

1 Faculty of Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada.

Background:: Foot orthoses have proven to be effective for conservative management of various pathologies. Pathologies of the lower limb can be caused by abnormal biomechanics such as irregular foot structure and alignment, leading to inadequate support.

Objectives:: To compare biomechanical effects of different foot orthoses on the medial longitudinal arch during dynamic gait using skeletal kinematics. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb;98(6):e14423

School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinesio tape (KT) on lower limb muscle activation pattern in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) during walking.

Design: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University laboratory setting. Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2019 Feb 7:309364619825891. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

2 Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background:: Due to limitations in provision of prosthetic care in South Africa, a screening tool to select transfemoral prosthetic candidates has been implemented.

Objective:: To describe prosthetic services, use and mobility of people with transfemoral amputation, identified as prosthetic candidates through the Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb, and to identify variables that might influence prosthetic use and mobility.

Design:: Cross-sectional survey. Read More

PM R 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO.

Background: People with dysvascular lower limb amputation (LLA) achieve one-third of the recommended steps per day and experience severe disability. Although physical function improves with rehabilitation after dysvascular LLA, physical activity remains largely unchanged, and factors contributing to limited daily step count are unknown.

Objectives: To identify factors that contribute to daily step count after dysvascular LLA. Read More

J Bodyw Mov Ther 2019 01 14;23(1). Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

From Leidos, San Diego, California (SLE, MCC, CTM, JRW), and Operational Readiness Research Directorate, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California (MRG).

The objective of this study was to describe the functional status of US Service members after combat-related amputation. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a subsample of the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project (WWRP), an ongoing, web-based, longitudinal examination of patient-reported outcomes of injured service members. The study sample included 82 WWRP participants with a combat-related lower extremity amputation who reported using a prosthetic device and completed the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey Lower Extremity Functional Status, which measures self-reported functional status in participants with a prosthetic device. Read More

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2019 Jan 17:1-7. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

a School of Life Sciences and Education , Staffordshire University , Stoke On Trent , UK.

Purpose: Approximately 1.5% of the world's population (∼100 million people) need a prosthesis/orthosis. The objective of the study was to establish an overview of the literature that has examined prosthetic and orthotic interventions with a view to inform policy development. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2019 Jan 7:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

b Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy , University of Lucerne , Lucerne , Switzerland.

Purpose: To evaluate the access to human rights of persons with disabilities who use prosthetic and orthotic assistive devices, and to compare groups of participants in terms of gender, residential area, income, and type and level of assistive device. The addressed areas were rights to: health, a standard of living adequate for health, education, marry and establish a family, vote, and work.

Methods: Questionnaires were used to collect self-reported data from 139 lower-limb prosthetic and orthotic users in Sierra Leone. Read More

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2019 ;32(1):15-20

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.

Background: Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is characterized by altered muscle activation, reduced range of motion (ROM) and balance deficits.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether fibular taping technique influenced the pain intensity, dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance in participants with CAI.

Methods: Twenty-six participants (16 males and 10 females; age 28. Read More

Gait Posture 2018 09 23;65:8-14. Epub 2018 Jun 23.

Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Habikino City, Osaka, Japan.

Background: Alignment affects gait of individuals with transtibial prostheses. Sagittal and coronal alignment changes of the transtibial prostheses were demonstrated to affect socket reaction moments. However, the effects of transverse alignment changes on the socket reaction moments are not known. Read More

Gait Posture 2018 09 26;65:205-212. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Development, Ottawa, Canada; Canadian Forces Health Services, Ottawa, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: People with lower limb amputation may experience walking limitations on slopes because of missing musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Elevated vacuum suspension could benefit transtibial amputee gait for slope walking, but research is lacking to inform clinical practice.

Methods: Twelve people with unilateral transtibial amputation were fitted with the Unity elevated vacuum suspension system (Össur) and Pro-Flex XC foot. Read More

Gait Posture 2018 09 25;65:182-189. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Bern University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Professions, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Background: Unilateral knee flexion contractures (KFC) are frequently seen in orthopedic rehabilitation and often interfere with the normal gait pattern, resulting in passive and/or active secondary deviations. In order to prevent KFC-related complications such as patellofemoral pain or the knee spine syndrome, a comprehensive understanding of such deviations is necessary.

Research Question: How does an artificially induced unilateral KFC affect whole body biomechanics in young healthy adults during gait?

Methods: Twenty-four healthy young adults (females/males: 13/11; mean age: 27. Read More

Gait Posture 2018 09 24;65:106-111. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation and Functional Performance, UFVJM, Diamantina, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Medial wedged foot orthoses are frequently prescribed to reduce retropatellar stress in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) by controlling calcaneal eversion and internal rotation of the tibia. During activities of daily living, the highest patella loads occur during stair descent, but the effect of foot orthoses during stair descent remains unclear.

Research Question: The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation during a step descent task in healthy volunteers using three designs of foot orthoses (insoles). Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2018 Dec 17:309364618814866. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

2 Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, UK.

Background:: The Ponseti method for treating congenital talipes equinovarus requires an orthosis to maintain correction after manipulation and casting, typically the 'boots and bar'. Non-compliance with the orthosis increases the risk of recurrent deformity. This study investigates a new orthosis, the abduction dorsiflexion mechanism. Read More

Hum Mov Sci 2019 Feb 12;63:148-155. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Laboratory of Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of International Liberal Studies, Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan. Electronic address:

Introduction: The present study investigated the effect of stretchable characteristics of elastic therapeutic tape and its elongation on surface electromyography (EMG) of knee extensor muscles during knee extension movements.

Methods: Nine healthy men performed knee extension movement with the application of normal elastic tape or highly stretchable tape and without the tapes (control). Tapes were applied on the anterior thigh to cross the knee joint with no elongation and elongation of 50 and 75% of the maximum stretchability. Read More

Gait Posture 2019 02 6;68:269-273. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica y Construcción, Universitat Jaume I, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: Kinematic analysis could help to study how variations in the static foot posture affect lower limb biomechanical function. The analysis of foot kinematics is complex because it involves managing the time-dependent joint angles in different joints and in all three planes of motion. But it could be simplified if joint angles are coordinated. Read More

Orthopedics 2019 Jan 13;42(1):e138-e143. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Metatarsalgia can be viewed as more of a symptom rather than a distinct diagnosis. Timing of forefoot pain during the gait cycle and evaluation of whether the pain is from anatomic abnormalities, indirect overloading, or iatrogenic causes can suggest a specific metatarsalgia etiology. A thorough physical examination of the lower extremity, especially evaluation of the plantar foot, and weight-bearing radiographs are critical for diagnosis and treatment. Read More

J Foot Ankle Res 2018 26;11:64. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

8York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.

Background: Foot orthoses are frequently used but little is known about which types are used in contemporary practice. This study aimed to explore the types of foot orthoses currently used by podiatrists and the prescription variations in a range of conditions.

Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional survey was distributed through professional bodies in the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and New Zealand. Read More

J Biomech 2019 Jan 22;83:57-64. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Mechanical tuning of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is important in improving gait in individuals post-stroke. Alignment and resistance are two factors that are tunable in articulated AFOs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of changing AFO ankle alignment on lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics with constant dorsiflexion and plantarflexion resistance in individuals post-stroke. Read More

Appl Ergon 2019 Jan 24;74:118-123. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, USA.

Many individuals work in jobs that require them to spend much of their day walking. There is evidence to suggest that shoe insoles may reduce the lower extremity discomfort for these workers. This study compared the effects of static and dynamic shoe insoles on lower extremity forces when walking at different speeds. Read More

J Foot Ankle Res 2018 14;11:60. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

1SoleScience Inc., Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic, 3M Building, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7 Canada.

Background: Detailed kinematics of the foot has been frequently reported on in the literature, specifically using various multi-segment foot models. It is important to identify the reliability of a multi-segment foot model in a population of mixed genders and activity levels, while walking in commonly used footwear. The main objective of this study was to investigate the between-day reliability and within-session variability of the Oxford Foot Model (OFM) while walking in a neutral cushioning shoe. Read More

J Biomech 2019 Jan 12;82:404. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK.

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2018 Jul;2018:2813-2816

Pathologic movement patterns are characterized by abnormal kinematics that alter how muscles support the body during walking. Individual muscles are often the target of interventions with physical therapy and surgery alike, yet the tools to assess individual muscles clinically remain limited. The aim of this study is to assess OpenSim as a clinical tool for individualized rehabilitative evaluation of children using orthotics. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2018 Nov 13;19(1):398. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, CB41, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Background: To review literature on bicycling participation, as well as facilitators and barriers for bicycling in people with a lower limb amputation (LLA).

Methods: Peer-reviewed, primary, full text, studies about bicycling in people with a LLA from midfoot level to hemipelvectomy were searched in Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, Cochrane library, and Sportdiscus. No language or publication date restrictions were applied. Read More

NeuroRehabilitation 2018 ;43(4):519-523

Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos-SP, Brazil.

Background: Kinesiotaping (KT) has been commonly used in clinical setting. However, beneficial KT effects have not been proved yet.

Objective: We aimed to verify the effects of KT in knee extensor torque in children with CP. Read More

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2019 ;32(2):321-327

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.

Background: In the relevant literature generalized hypermobility syndrome (GHS) has been shown to alter the kinetic and kinematic patterns of the human movement system. Although GHS affects the general body biomechanics of individuals, the body of knowledge in plantar pressure distribution in GHS is far from sufficient.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals with joint hypermobility syndrome have abnormal plantar pressure distribution during normal gait compared to healthy individuals. Read More

Int J Sports Med 2018 Dec 7;39(14):1068-1074. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

School of Sports, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Greater functional knee valgus (FKV) is thought to contribute to a greater risk of sustaining overuse running injuries. The hip is commonly implicated in greater functional knee valgus, but no studies have investigated the effects of hip taping on running kinematics. The present study investigated whether or not hip taping altered hip and knee kinematics compared to sham and no taping in female runners demonstrating excessive functional knee valgus. Read More

Hum Mov Sci 2018 Dec 30;62:184-193. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Mechanical Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) at lower thoracic levels might walk independently with the aid of mechanical orthoses and walker by using their unimpaired trunk and upper extremity muscles (TUEM). The required motor skills and the associated subtasks of the paraplegic locomotion, however, have not been well understood yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coordination of the TUEM activities throughout the paraplegic gait cycle using synergy analysis. Read More

PLoS One 2018 22;13(10):e0202716. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Prosthetic elevated vacuum is a suspension method used to reduce daily volume changes of the residual limb. Evaluation of the effectiveness of these systems is limited due to a lack of correlation to actual socket air pressure, particularly during unconstrained movements. This may explain some of the variability in functional outcomes reported in the literature. Read More

Dev Med Child Neurol 2019 02 22;61(2):119-120. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Physiotherapy, Free University Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2018 Oct;100(20):1781-1789

METRC Coordinating Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: The Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO) is a custom energy-storing carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis developed for lower-extremity trauma patients. Studies conducted at the military treatment facility where the IDEO was developed demonstrated benefits of the IDEO when used with the Return to Run Physical Therapy (RTR PT) program. The current study was designed to determine if results could be replicated at other military treatment facilities and to examine whether early performance gains in patient-reported functional outcomes remained at 12 months. Read More

Foot (Edinb) 2018 Dec 29;37:77-84. Epub 2018 May 29.

Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: Flatfoot is a structural and functional abnormality of the foot that may cause lower limb mechanical damage during walking. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of foot orthoses on the frequency domain of ground reaction forces in children with flatfeet during the stance phase of walking.

Methods: Bilateral gait data were collected from fifteen male children suffering from flatfeet syndrome. Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2019 Feb 15;43(1):123-126. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

1 Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Background:: For transfemoral amputations, the residual femoral length is critically important to prosthetic function. The aim of this report is to describe a novel method of extending femoral length and to assess its stability over time.

Case Description And Methods:: A 57-year-old woman with recurrent parosteal osteosarcoma was treated with above-knee amputation. Read More

PLoS One 2018 9;13(10):e0205187. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognition Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.

Background: Due to inconclusive evidence on the effects of foot orthoses treatment on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in children, studies are needed that particularly evaluate the long-term use of foot orthoses on lower limb alignment during walking. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term treatment with arch support foot orthoses versus a sham condition on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during walking in children with flexible flat feet.

Methods: Thirty boys aged 8-12 years with flexible flat feet participated in this study. Read More

Prosthet Orthot Int 2019 Apr 4;43(2):140-147. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.

Background:: Use of proprioceptive knee braces to control symptomology by altering neuromuscular control mechanisms has been shown in patellofemoral pain. Although their potential in patients with knee osteoarthritis is vast, little research has examined their efficacy.

Objectives:: This study examines the effect of a proprioceptive knee brace on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in healthy participants and in participants with OA. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2018 Nov 13;59:181-198. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Children with lower limb loss face gait and balance limitations. Prosthetic rehabilitation is thus aimed at improving functional capacity and mobility throughout the developmental phases of the child amputee. This review of literature was conducted to determine the characteristics of prosthetic gait and balance among children and adolescents with lower-limb amputation or other limb loss. Read More

Gait Posture 2019 01 22;67:31-36. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

General Surgery Department, York Hospitals Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, United Kingdom.

Background: Intermittent claudication (IC) is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease where a cramp-like leg pain is exhibited during walking, which affects gait and limits walking distance. Specifically-designed rocker-soled shoes were purported to mechanically unload the calf musculature and increase walking distances until IC pain.

Research Questions: Do three-curve rocker-soled shoes increase walking distance and what are the biomechanical differences during pain-free walking and IC pain-induced walking, when compared with control shoes?

Methods: Following NHS ethical approval, 31 individuals with claudication (age 69 ± 10 years, stature 1. Read More

J Neuroeng Rehabil 2018 Sep 5;15(Suppl 1):55. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC, 450 Maple Avenue East, Suite 303, Vienna, VA, 22180, USA.

Background: There are few studies of the economic value of orthotic and prosthetic services. A prior cohort study of orthotic and prosthetic Medicare beneficiaries based on Medicare Parts A and B claims from 2007 to 2010 concluded that patients who received timely orthotic or prosthetic care had comparable or lower total health care costs than a comparison group of untreated patients. This follow-up study reports on a parallel analysis based on Medicare claims from 2011 to 2014 and includes Part D in addition to Parts A and B services and expenditures. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2018 Nov 13;59:117-129. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

École de Kinésiologie et des Sciences de l'Activité Physique, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Campus Laval, 1700 rue Jacques Tétreault, Laval H7N 0B6, QC, Canada; Institut de Génie Biomédical, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Campus Laval, 1700 rue Jacques Tétreault, Laval H7N 0B6, QC, Canada.

Background: Foot orthoses are commonly used for the management of excessive foot pronation in people with pes planovalgus. However, results are inconsistent due to variability in orthosis geometrical designs. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to classify and investigate the effects of foot orthoses, based on their design, in terms of lower limb kinematics and kinetics in people with pes planovalgus. Read More

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2018 ;31(5):973-979

Prosthetics and Orthotics Department, Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare clinical and demographic characteristics, functional status and quality of life among patients who underwent amputation for the most common reason in our region.

Methods: Demographic data, level of and reasons for undergoing amputation and clinical data on the use of prostheses in 126 patients were recorded. The amputees were divided into three groups: vascular, trauma and landmine. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018 Oct 19;10(39):32935-32941. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Electrically actuated ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) were designed and prototyped using shape memory textile composites. Acrylic copolymers were synthesized as the matrix to demonstrate shape memory effects, whereas electrothermal fabrics were embedded to generate uniform heat as a trigger. Superior to conventional polymeric orthoses, shape memory AFOs (SM-AFOs) could be repeatedly programmed at least 20 times with stable shape fixity and recovery. Read More

Wounds 2018 Oct 16;30(10):300-305. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Scriptum Medica, University Place, WA.

Introduction: Locally and neurally mediated vasodilation of the cutaneous vasculature has been shown to occur in response to locally and systemically applied heat stresses. The resultant shunting of blood to the periphery can be upwards of 7 L/min to 8 L/min when profound heat stresses are applied. The increased cutaneous circulation from local heat stress may benefit extremities afflicted with a wound or area of compromised arterial supply. Read More