Technical and clinical function testing of hand orthoses in Sweden.

The technical and clinical function testing of hand orthoses by the Swedish institute for the Handicapped at EFTO (the Unit of Applied Orthotics) is performed according to the test instructions for each specific hand orthosis, wrist-driven, finger-driven, etc. The clinical testing follows a specific routine where a medical record of the patients with the specific questions regarding the hand orthoses are noted; diagnosis, function loss, psychological questions, technical aids, etc. The improvement in function and patient independence is checked against the list of Activities of Daily Living. The technical test follows test instructions specially designed to indicate the special characteristics of the type of orthosis which is to be tested. The technical type test includes an examination and dimensional inspection, mechanical, climatic and durability tests. Our test records are checked with our requirement specifications for each type of aid. When our requirements are fulfilled, the orthosis is recommended. 6 of 9 commercially available wrist-driven hand orthosis have been tested. Only 2 are recommended for prescription: They are from Orthotic System, USA, and from Jaeco Orthopedic Specialties, USA. Two finger-driven hand orthoses have been tested and recommended for prescription: One from Orthomedics Inc., USA, and one from Jaeco Orthopedic Specialties. Three electrical power units for hand orthoses have been tested and two were recommended. The two are from Hosmer/Dorrance, USA, and from EEN-Holmgren Orthopedic Inc., Sweden. One self-contained hand orthosis powered with the Een-Holmgren Actuating Unit has been tested and recommended.