title: Elastic head support for persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive, Research-MS 151, Minneapolis, MN 55417. andrew.hansen2@va.gov.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Beau
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bedore
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nickel
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanowski
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tangen
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldish
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; braces; cervical 
  orthosis; elastic head support; head; neck; neck muscle weakness; orthotic devices; range of motion; rehabilitation