Expert Opinions on Thermal Discomfort Related to Idiopathic … : JPO: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics
ods Qualitative data were gathered via interviews with experts in a variety of fields. Three primary categories of discussion were established: current status of thermal discomfort experienced by patients with IS treated with TLSOs, current mitigation strategies, and obstacles to implementation of a hypothetical novel TLSO. Data were analyzed utilizing Pell Institute’s six-step method for qualitative data analysis. Results Six experts participated in this study: three spinal orthotics experts, who are orthotists currently treating IS with TLSOs; one thermal discomfort expert, who has been studying thermal discomfort for prosthetic devices; and two mechanical engineering experts, who conduct college courses on thermodynamics. Primary signs and symptoms of thermal discomfort identified by experts were heat rash, verbal complaint, and excessive sweating. Factors identified by experts as related to the occurrence of thermal discomfort fell into three categories: orthotic design, surroundin