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A simple and useful hand orthosis for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a simple web spacer for thumb
Kazunari Tanaka1, Ryuichi Saura, Kouji Houraiya
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan. reh030@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of simple web spacer for thumb opposition weakness in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Method:
Observational survey. Setting. Hospital in Japan.
Results:
The average grip strength with and without the web spacer was 8.25 +/- 1.74 kg and 8.13 +/- 1.91 kg, respectively. The lateral pinch strength was 0.83 +/- 0.45 kg and 0.93 +/- 0.47 kg. The palp pinch strength was 0.37 +/- 0.24 kg and 0.22 +/- 0.16 kg. In observation of activities of daily living (ADL) the movements of fingers required for palp pinching such as grasping buttons, flipping the pages of a book, and picking up small things were more easily carried out when wearing.
Conclusions:
The simple web spacer, which improves precision hand motion and facilitates grasping, should be considered in the treatment of patients with ALS.
