title: Assessment of the Sheffield Support Snood, an innovative cervical orthosis designed for people affected by neck muscle weakness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed at quantifying the biomechanical features of the Sheffield Support Snood, a cervical orthosis specifically designed for patients with neck muscle weakness. The orthosis is designed to be adaptable to a patient's level of functional limitation using adjustable removable supports, which contribute support and restrict movement only in desired anatomical planes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The snood was evaluated along with two commercially available orthoses, the Vista and Headmaster, in a series of flexion, extension, axial-rotation and lateral flexion movements. Characterization was performed with twelve healthy participants with and without the orthoses. Two inertial-magneto sensors, placed on the forehead and sternum, were used to quantify the neck's range of motion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In its less supportive configuration, the snood was effective in limiting movements to the desired planes, preserving free movement in other planes. The Headmaster was only effective in limiting flexion. The range of motion achieved with the snood in its rigid configuration was equivalent (P>0.05, effect size<0.4) to that achieved with the Vista, both in trials performed reaching the maximum amplitude (range of motion reduction: 25%-34% vs 24%-47%) and at maximum speed (range of motion reduction: 24%-29% vs 25%-43%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Sheffield Support Snood is effectively adaptable to different tasks and, in its most supportive configuration, offers a support comparable to the Vista, but providing a less bulky structure. The chosen method is suitable for the assessment of range of motions while wearing neck orthoses and is easily translatable in a clinical context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Insigneo Institute for In silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: spancani1@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pancani
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Insigneo Institute for In silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rowson
authors.affiliation: Insigneo Institute for In silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; National Institute for Health Research, Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-Operative, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tindale
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research, Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-Operative, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heron
authors.affiliation: Lab4Living, Art and Design Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.affiliation: Insigneo Institute for In silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; National Institute for Health Research, Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-Operative, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK; School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Avril D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.affiliation: South Yorkshire Motor Neurone Disease Association, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Lab4Living, Art and Design Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Heath
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Lab4Living, Art and Design Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research, Devices for Dignity Healthcare Technology Co-Operative, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK; Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDermott
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Insigneo Institute for In silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzà
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001915:Braces; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009333:Neck / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Accelerometers; Biomechanics; Cervical orthosis; Inertial magneto units; Neck movement; Wearable sensors