Protective Brace to Prevent Hand and Arm Injuries

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

15 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2003-11-30

Study Completion Date

2004-02-29

Brief Summary

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When people use hand-held power tools, their hands and arms vibrate along with the tool they are holding. People who frequently use hand-held power tools may develop injuries related to this vibration. This study will evaluate a protective brace designed to prevent vibration-related hand and arms injuries.

Detailed Description

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Workers who use hand-held power tools absorb significant vibration energy in their arms and hands and may develop musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome and hand-arm vibration syndrome. Protective braces may be worn to decrease the incidence of occupational MSDs. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has identified key attributes for protective braces; these attributes include vibration damping, comfort, non-interference with worker dexterity, and maintenance of safe hand temperature. Most currently available braces do not adequately address these NIOSH requirements. This study will evaluate the efficacy of a brace with piezoelectric damping material.

Participants in the study will be fitted with a brace on each hand. One brace will have piezoelectric damping material and the other will be a currently available, off-the-shelf commercial brace. Hand-held joysticks and handles mounted to a vibration shaker table will be used to simulate power tool use. Participants will undergo a series of tests designed to measure hand acceleration and vibration while grasping the study joysticks and handles. The tests will take approximately 30 minutes.

Conditions

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Cumulative Trauma Disorders Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Interventions

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piezoelectric wrist brace

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Normal hand anatomy and full range of motion

Exclusion Criteria

* History of significant hand or wrist arthritis
* Open wounds
* Prior hand or wrist surgery
* Neuropathies
* Skin hypersensitivity
* Contact dermatitis
* Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

55 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Principal Investigators

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Michael D. Pottenger, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

SmartWear, LLC

Locations

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UCLA Hand Center

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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1R43AR049167-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

NIAMS-079

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id