A comfort assessment of existing cervical orthoses
本研究让健康参与者佩戴四种颈椎矫形器四小时，记录不适程度和位置，发现所有矫形器均引起不适，且设计比佩戴时长影响更大，为新型矫形器设计提供了依据。
PURPOSE: Identify location and intensity of discomfort experienced by healthy participants wearing cervical orthoses. METHOD: cervical orthoses for four-hour periods. Participants reported discomfort level (scale 0-6) and location. RESULTS: Participants reported mean discomfort for all orthoses over the four-hour test between 'a little discomfort' and 'very uncomfortable' (mean discomfort score = 1.64, SD = 1.50). Seven participants prematurely stopped tests due to pain and six reported maximum discomfort scores. Significant linear increase in discomfort with duration of wear was found for all orthoses. Significantly less discomfort was reported with Stro II than Headmaster and Philadelphia. Age correlated with greater perceived discomfort. Orthoses differed in the location discomfort was experienced. CONCLUSION: Existing cervical orthoses cause discomfort influenced by design and duration of wear with orthoses' design the more significant factor. This work informed the design of a new orthosis and future orthoses developments. Practitioner Summary: The purpose of this study was to gain greater knowledge about the discomfort caused by wearing of existing neck orthoses in order to inform the design and development of a new neck orthosis. This study gathers empirical data from a surrogate population and concludes that orthosis design is more influential than the duration of wear.