The Effect of Separated-Arms Foot Orthoses on the Lower Body and Trunk Kinematics During Level Walking

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Marinakis ◽  
Paola Catalfamo
2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Schmalz ◽  
Eva Pröbsting ◽  
Roland Auberger ◽  
Gordon Siewert

Background: The microprocessor-controlled leg orthosis C-Brace enables patients with paretic or paralysed lower limb muscles to use dampened knee flexion under weight-bearing and speed-adapted control of the swing phase. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the new technical functions of the C-Brace orthosis, based on biomechanical parameters. Study design: The study enrolled six patients. The C-Brace orthosis is compared with conventional leg orthoses (four stance control orthoses, two locked knee–ankle–foot orthoses) using biomechanical parameters of level walking, descending ramps and descending stairs. Methods: Ground reaction forces, joint moments and kinematic parameters were measured for level walking as well as ascending and descending ramps and stairs. Results: With the C-Brace, a nearly natural stance phase knee flexion was measured during level walking (mean value 11° ± 5.6°). The maximum swing phase knee flexion angle of the C-Brace approached the normal value of 65° more closely than the stance control orthoses (66° ± 8.5° vs 74° ± 6.4°). No significant differences in the joint moments were found between the C-Brace and stance control orthosis conditions. In contrast to the conventional orthoses, all patients were able to ambulate ramps and stairs using a step-over-step technique with C-Brace (flexion angle 64.6° ± 8.2° and 70.5° ± 12.4°). Conclusion: The results show that the functions of the C-Brace for situation-dependent knee flexion under weight bearing have been used by patients with a high level of confidence. Clinical relevance The functional benefits of the C-Brace in comparison with the conventional orthotic mechanisms could be demonstrated most clearly for descending ramps and stairs. The C-Brace orthosis is able to combine improved orthotic function with sustained orthotic safety.


2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Lamb ◽  
Annegret Mündermann ◽  
Roger M. Bartlett ◽  
Anthony Robins

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Swami ◽  
Angela Nogueira Campana ◽  
Rebecca Coles

Although patients of cosmetic surgery are increasingly ethnically diverse, previous studies have not examined ethnic differences in attitudinal dispositions toward cosmetic surgery. In the present study, 751 British female university students from three ethnic groups (Caucasians, South Asians, and African Caribbeans) completed measures of acceptance of cosmetic surgery, body appreciation, self-esteem, and demographic variables. Initial between-group analyses showed that Caucasians had lower body appreciation and self-esteem than Asian and African Caribbean participants. Importantly, Caucasians had higher acceptance of cosmetic surgery than their ethnic minority counterparts, even after controlling for body appreciation, self-esteem, age, and body mass index. Further analyses showed that ethnicity accounted for a small proportion of the variance in acceptance of cosmetic surgery, with body appreciation and self-esteem emerging as stronger predictors. Possible reasons for ethnic differences in acceptance of cosmetic surgery are discussed in Conclusion.


Author(s):  
Govindasamy Balasekaran ◽  
Jolene Z. Lim ◽  
Peggy Boey ◽  
Yew C. Ng ◽  
Visvasuresh V. Govindaswamy

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