The development of a wrist alignment device with widespread applications within the office and clinical environment

An electrogoniometric biofeedback posture corrective device that monitors and controls wrist range of motion within preset limits has recently been developed [1]. This device known as a Wrist Alignment Device (WAD) uses custom-made flexible-electrogoniometers [2] attached to a one-size-fit-all glove. Together as a glove based unit it has widespread applications that potentially could have useful benefits within the office and clinical settings. As a device it could be used by any person suffering from loss of dexterity to the hand triggered off by a hand disability ranging from highly repetitive activities associated with work related upper limb disorders such as tendinitis, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome etc to wrist fractures. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the effectiveness of the WAD within the office and clinical environment using finger and wrist tendon travel (TT) as functional outcome measures.