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Splinting the hand in the functional position after brain impairment: a randomized, controlled trial
Natasha A Lannin1, Sally A Horsley, Robert Herbert
1School of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South, Australia.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|February 26, 2003
Summary
Overnight hand splinting did not improve muscle length, hand function, or pain in adults with acquired brain impairment. The study found no clinically significant benefits from this intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Physical Therapy
- Orthotics
Background:
- Acquired brain impairment can lead to significant upper limb dysfunction, including muscle contractures and pain.
- Effective interventions are needed to improve hand function and reduce spasticity in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of 4-week nocturnal hand splinting on finger and wrist flexor muscle length, hand function, and pain in individuals with acquired brain impairment.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, assessor-blinded trial was conducted with 28 adults with acquired brain impairment.
- Participants received routine therapy and upper limb stretching, with the experimental group also using a hand splint nightly.
- Muscle length, hand function (Motor Assessment Scale), and pain (visual analog scale) were measured.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant or clinically important differences were observed between the splinted and control groups.
- Slight trends favored the control group for wrist range of motion and hand function, while pain reduction slightly favored the splinted group.
Conclusions:
- No clinically beneficial effects were found for overnight hand splinting in the functional position for adults with acquired brain impairment.
- This intervention does not appear to be an effective method for improving outcomes in this patient group.