A reliable and accurate method for measuring orthosis wearing time.
METHODS
Compliance monitor measurement of orthosis wearing time during laboratory climate tests and normal volunteer subject tests were compared to normal diaries.


OBJECTIVE
To develop and test the accuracy and reliability of a device designed to measure spinal orthosis wearing time.


BACKGROUND
Orthosis wearing time is an important factor in orthotic treatment for spine disorders. A reliable and objective method for measuring orthosis wearing time currently is lacking.


METHODS
Four pressure switches and a data logger embedded in each thoracolumbosacral orthosis recorded orthosis wearing time. Orthoses were assumed to be worn when at least two switches were "on." Laboratory climate tests and normal volunteer tests were conducted to assess the ability of the compliance monitor to measure orthosis wearing time. A manual wearing-event diary was kept during all the tests. The length of each wearing-time interval, the daily wearing time, and the cumulative wearing time were calculated from data recorded by the compliance monitor and the manual diaries.


RESULTS
A linear regression was performed on all orthosis wearing-time intervals as recorded by the compliance monitor and by the manual diaries. Climate chamber tests yielded 121 sensor trigger-event intervals (R2 = 0.998; slope = 1.003; P < 0.0001). Normal subject testing yielded 72 orthosis wearing-time intervals (R2 = 0.998; slope = 0.998; P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
As indicated by the regression analyses, the compliance monitor accurately quantified the orthosis wearing-time intervals during the laboratory climate tests and the tests with normal volunteers.
Havey
Robert
R
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Gavin
Thomas
T
Patwardhan
Avinash
A
Pawelczak
Steven
S
Ibrahim
Kamal
K
Andersson
Gunnar B J
GB
Lavender
Steven
S
D001915:Braces / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000592:standards*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors