{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,23]],"date-time":"2026-04-23T15:02:27Z","timestamp":1776956547667,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"24","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,15]],"date-time":"2021-12-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1639526400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100005058","name":"NED University of Engineering and Technology","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["12993"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["12993"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100005058","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sensors"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Trunk stability is important for adequate arm function due to their kinematic linkage. People with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) can benefit from trunk-assistive devices for seated daily activities, but existing devices limit trunk movement to forward bending. We developed a new trunk orthosis that has spring and pulley design. This study evaluated orthosis performance with 40 able-bodied subjects under with and without orthosis condition in 20 seated tasks for trunk rotation, forward bending, and side bending movements. Subjects adopted static posture in specific trunk orientation while their muscle activity was recorded. They also rated the subjective scales of perceived exertion and usability. A percent change in muscle activity for each task, due to orthosis use, is reported. Significant muscle activity reductions up to 31% and 65% were observed in lumbar and thoracic erector spinae muscles, respectively. Using three-way ANOVA, we found these reductions to be specific to the task direction and the choice of upper limb that is used to perform the asymmetric tasks. A total of 70% participants reported acceptable usability and ~1-point increase in exertion was found for maximum voluntary reaching with the orthosis. The outcomes of this study are promising, though tested on able-bodied subjects. Hence, orthosis mounted on wheelchairs should be further evaluated on DMD patients.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/s21248366","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,15]],"date-time":"2021-12-15T21:47:36Z","timestamp":1639604856000},"page":"8366","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":11,"title":["Evaluation of a Chair-Mounted Passive Trunk Orthosis: A Pilot Study on Able-Bodied Subjects"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"21","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0301-1309","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ahmad Zahid","family":"Rao","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 75270, Pakistan"},{"name":"Neurocomputation Lab, National Center of Artificial Intelligence, Karachi 75270, Pakistan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2021-3452","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Muhammad Abul","family":"Hasan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 75270, Pakistan"},{"name":"Neurocomputation Lab, National Center of Artificial Intelligence, Karachi 75270, Pakistan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2018.02.028","article-title":"Trunk involvement in performing upper extremity activities while seated in neurological patients with a flaccid trunk\u2014A review","volume":"62","author":"Peeters","year":"2018","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.1016\/j.brainres.2011.01.043","article-title":"The trunk as a part of the kinematic chain for reaching movements in healthy subjects and hemiparetic patients","volume":"1382","author":"Robertson","year":"2011","journal-title":"Brain Res."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"435","DOI":"10.1080\/17518423.2020.1869337","article-title":"Trunk Control and Upper Limb Function of Walking and Non-walking Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Individuals","volume":"24","author":"Santos","year":"2021","journal-title":"Dev. Neurorehabilit."},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"1","article-title":"The association between trunk control and upper limb functions of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy","volume":"4","author":"Bulut","year":"2020","journal-title":"Physiother. Theory Pract."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1186\/s12984-019-0515-y","article-title":"Don\u2019t forget the trunk in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients: More muscle weakness and compensation than expected","volume":"16","author":"Peeters","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Neuroeng. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"E135","DOI":"10.1097\/01.brs.0000201325.89493.5f","article-title":"Effects of Pelvic Asymmetry and Low Back Pain on Trunk Kinematics During Sitting: A Comparison With Standing","volume":"31","author":"Egan","year":"2006","journal-title":"Spine (Phila. Pa. 1976)."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1186\/s12984-018-0353-3","article-title":"Development and evaluation of a passive trunk support system for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients","volume":"15","author":"Mahmood","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Neuroeng. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1965","DOI":"10.1109\/TNSRE.2018.2866956","article-title":"Evaluation of Control Interfaces for Active Trunk Support","volume":"26","author":"Verros","year":"2018","journal-title":"IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.3758\/BF03193146","article-title":"G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences","volume":"39","author":"Faul","year":"2007","journal-title":"Behav. Res. Methods"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e403","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2008.12.002","article-title":"PLAD (personal lift assistive device) stiffness affects the lumbar flexion\/extension moment and the posterior chain EMG during symmetrical lifting tasks","volume":"19","author":"Frost","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-8749.2009.03316.x","article-title":"Monitoring changes and predicting loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy with the Motor Function Measure","volume":"52","author":"Vuillerot","year":"2009","journal-title":"Dev. Med. Child Neurol."},{"key":"ref_12","first-page":"114","article-title":"Determining what individual SUS scores mean: Adding an adjective rating scale","volume":"4","author":"Bangor","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Usability Stud."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Borg, G., and Borg, E. (2010). The Borg CR Scales\u00ae Folder. Methods for Measuring Intensity of Experience, Borg Perception. Available online: https:\/\/borgperception.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Borg-CR-Scales-Folder.pdf."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"361","DOI":"10.1016\/S1050-6411(00)00027-4","article-title":"Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures","volume":"10","author":"Hermens","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2005.07.003","article-title":"Elimination of electrocardiogram contamination from electromyogram signals: An evaluation of currently used removal techniques","volume":"16","author":"Drake","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1016\/S0268-0033(05)80009-9","article-title":"High-pass filtering to remove electrocardiographic interference from torso EMG recordings","volume":"8","author":"Redfern","year":"1993","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"212","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apergo.2015.12.003","article-title":"The effects of a passive exoskeleton on muscle activity, discomfort and endurance time in forward bending work","volume":"54","author":"Bosch","year":"2016","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109795","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbiomech.2020.109795","article-title":"Biomechanical evaluation of a new passive back support exoskeleton","volume":"105","author":"Koopman","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103156","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apergo.2020.103156","article-title":"Biomechanical assessment of two back-support exoskeletons in symmetric and asymmetric repetitive lifting with moderate postural demands","volume":"88","author":"Madinei","year":"2020","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2019.05.003","article-title":"A passive exoskeleton reduces peak and mean EMG during symmetric and asymmetric lifting","volume":"47","author":"Alemi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"441","DOI":"10.1177\/0018720819890966","article-title":"Biomechanical Evaluation of Passive Back-Support Exoskeletons in a Precision Manual Assembly Task: \u2018Expected\u2019 Effects on Trunk Muscle Activity, Perceived Exertion, and Task Performance","volume":"62","author":"Madinei","year":"2020","journal-title":"Hum. Factors"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2023","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-018-5279-2","article-title":"Trunk, head and pelvis interactions in healthy children when performing seated daily arm tasks","volume":"236","author":"Peeters","year":"2018","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"469","DOI":"10.1016\/S1050-6411(03)00060-9","article-title":"Posture-dependent trunk extensor EMG activity during maximum isometrics exertions in normal male and female subjects","volume":"13","author":"Roy","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"176","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2008.12.001","article-title":"Postural reactions of the trunk muscles to multi-directional perturbations in sitting","volume":"24","author":"Masani","year":"2009","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"184","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.1955.sp005347","article-title":"The function of the erectores spinae muscles in certain movements and postures in man","volume":"129","author":"Floyd","year":"1955","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"920","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2006.04.017","article-title":"Torque and EMG in rotation extension of the torso from pre-rotated and flexed postures","volume":"21","author":"Kumar","year":"2006","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-200636020-00004","article-title":"Neural adaptations to resistive exercise: Mechanisms and recommendations for training practices","volume":"36","author":"Gabriel","year":"2006","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1350","DOI":"10.1080\/00140130903067797","article-title":"The influence of laboratory set-up in usability tests: Effects on user performance, subjective ratings and physiological measures","volume":"52","author":"Sonderegger","year":"2009","journal-title":"Ergonomics"},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"358","article-title":"An assistance device to help people with trunk impairment maintain posture","volume":"2017","author":"Ogura","year":"2017","journal-title":"IEEE Int. Conf. Rehabil. Robot."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"745","DOI":"10.1038\/sc.2010.11","article-title":"Seated reach distance and trunk excursion accurately reflect dynamic postural control in individuals with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury","volume":"48","author":"Ray","year":"2010","journal-title":"Spinal Cord"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.1097\/00001786-200504000-00006","article-title":"Wheelchair-related falls: Current evidence and directions for improved quality care","volume":"20","author":"Nelson","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Nurs. Care Qual."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"818","DOI":"10.1016\/S0003-9993(02)04953-5","article-title":"Practical problems and management of seating through the clinical stages of Duchenne\u2019s muscular dystrophy","volume":"84","author":"Liu","year":"2003","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1408","DOI":"10.1080\/09638288.2016.1196398","article-title":"Quality of life of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: From adolescence to young men","volume":"39","author":"Lue","year":"2017","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msard.2018.06.013","article-title":"Trunk control: The essence for upper limb functionality in patients with multiple sclerosis","volume":"24","author":"Korkmaz","year":"2018","journal-title":"Mult. Scler. Relat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1615\/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.2021039012","article-title":"Understanding Postural and Segmental Trunk Control and their effect on Sitting in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A systematic scoping review","volume":"33","author":"Doctor","year":"2021","journal-title":"Crit. Rev. Phys. Rehabil. Med."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"492","DOI":"10.1016\/j.parkreldis.2006.06.007","article-title":"Postural control of the trunk during unstable sitting in Parkinson\u2019s disease","volume":"12","author":"Rietberg","year":"2006","journal-title":"Parkinsonism Relat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"127","article-title":"Investigating the relation between upper extremity function and trunk control, balance and functional mobility in individuals with stroke","volume":"4","author":"Arslan","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Health Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"473","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2011.06.021","article-title":"Trunk sway in patients with and without, mild traumatic brain injury after whiplash injury","volume":"34","author":"Findling","year":"2011","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"507","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2015.03.002","article-title":"Trunk control impairment is responsible for postural instability during quiet sitting in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury","volume":"30","author":"Milosevic","year":"2015","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.3349\/ymj.2011.52.1.192","article-title":"Three Cases of Manifesting Female Carriers in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy","volume":"52","author":"Song","year":"2011","journal-title":"Yonsei Med. J."}],"container-title":["Sensors"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1424-8220\/21\/24\/8366\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T07:48:53Z","timestamp":1760168933000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1424-8220\/21\/24\/8366"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,15]]},"references-count":40,"journal-issue":{"issue":"24","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,12]]}},"alternative-id":["s21248366"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/s21248366","relation":{},"ISSN":["1424-8220"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1424-8220","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,15]]}}}