TY - JOUR
T1 - Elastic head support for persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AU - Hansen, Andrew
AU - Bedore, Beau
AU - Nickel, Eric
AU - Hanowski, Kristin
AU - Tangen, Sonya
AU - Goldish, Gary
PY - 2014/6
Y1 - 2014/6
N2 - This article describes an inexpensive elastic head support for persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neck muscle weakness and also presents a case series to examine its effectiveness. The device offers support to the head while the user is seated, standing, and walking, providing support for persons in various stages of ALS. The head support system was tested in seven male patients with ALS. Before and after the 2 wk trial, the subjects answered questions related to their communication efficacy, difficulty swallowing, level of neck discomfort, number of hours being upright before neck discomfort, comfort in social settings, and rating of perceived dyspnea. Subjects also answered specific questions related to the elastic head support after the 2 wk trial. The results suggested that the elastic head support is useful for some, but not all, patients.
AB - This article describes an inexpensive elastic head support for persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neck muscle weakness and also presents a case series to examine its effectiveness. The device offers support to the head while the user is seated, standing, and walking, providing support for persons in various stages of ALS. The head support system was tested in seven male patients with ALS. Before and after the 2 wk trial, the subjects answered questions related to their communication efficacy, difficulty swallowing, level of neck discomfort, number of hours being upright before neck discomfort, comfort in social settings, and rating of perceived dyspnea. Subjects also answered specific questions related to the elastic head support after the 2 wk trial. The results suggested that the elastic head support is useful for some, but not all, patients.
KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
KW - Braces
KW - Cervical orthosis
KW - Elastic head support
KW - Head
KW - Neck
KW - Neck muscle weak-ness
KW - Orthotic devices
KW - Range of motion
KW - Rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84900854841&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84900854841&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1682/JRRD.2013.03.0072
DO - 10.1682/JRRD.2013.03.0072
M3 - Article
C2 - 24933727
AN - SCOPUS:84900854841
SN - 0748-7711
VL - 51
SP - 297
EP - 303
JO - Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
JF - Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
IS - 2
ER -