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.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention
Cumulative Trauma Disorders Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	Device: piezoelectric wrist brace

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  15

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.

Ages Eligible for Study:  21 Years   -   55 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

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

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

Study chairs or principal investigators

Michael D. Pottenger, PhD,  Principal Investigator,  SmartWear, LLC   

Study ID Numbers:  NIAMS-079; 1R43AR49167-01
Record last reviewed:  September 2004
Last Updated:  October 13, 2004
Record first received:  December 23, 2003
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00074893
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08