Protective Brace to Prevent Hand and Arm Injuries

Shock Absorbing Brace for Study of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Cumulative Trauma Disorders
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: piezoelectric wrist brace

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095-6902
      • UCLA Hand Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 55 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: Single

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael D. Pottenger, PhD, SmartWear, LLC

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: November 1, 2003
• Study Completion: February 1, 2004

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 23, 2003
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 23, 2003
• First Posted (Estimate): December 24, 2003

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): March 8, 2006
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 6, 2006
• Last Verified: March 1, 2006

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Repetitive Strain Injuries; Vibration Damping; Protective Brace; Piezoelectric; SmartWear
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Neuromuscular Diseases; Mononeuropathies; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Median Neuropathy; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Sprains and Strains; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Cumulative Trauma Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: NIAMS-079; 1R43AR049167-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)