The Effect of Spinal Orthoses on Immobilizing the Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review of Research Methodologies

Conclusions There is a clear paucity of well-designed research on immobilization of the cervical spine using orthotic devices. Comparing the results of studies using different types of orthoses is difficult due to the type and age of the participants involved (healthy, pathological, cadaver) and the different techniques of measurement used. This lack of standardization prevents meta-analyses from being performed and may be a contributing factor to the lack of available clinical guidelines. An agreed structured methodology is required to enable meta-analyses and determine clinical guidelines for the prescription of spinal orthoses for cervical spine pathology.
Source: JPO Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research