Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: Surgical Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Postamputation Pain
Published on: March 8, 2024
A randomized single blind crossover trial comparing leather and commercial wrist splints for treating chronic wrist
Jill Thiele1, Rachel Nimmo, Wendy Rowell
1Occupational Therapy Department, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia. jill.thiele@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Background:
To compare the effectiveness of a custom-made leather wrist splint (LS) with a commercially available fabric splint (FS) in adults with chronic wrist pain.
Methods:
Participants (N = 25, mean age = 54) were randomly assigned to treatment order in a 2-phase crossover trial. Splints were worn for 2 weeks, separated by a one-week washout period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after each splint phase using the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN), the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Jamar dynamometer by an observer blinded to treatment allocation.
Results:
Both styles of wrist splint significantly reduced pain (effect size LS 0.79, FS 0.43), improved hand function and increased grip strength compared to baseline (all p < 0.05) with no increase in wrist stiffness. There was a consistent trend for the LS to be superior to the FS but this was statistically significant only for patient perceived occupational performance (p = 0.008) and satisfaction (p = 0.015). Lastly, 72% of patients preferred the custom-made leather splint compared to the commercially available splint.
Conclusion:
Leather wrist splints were superior to a commercially available fabric splint for the short-term relief of pain and dysfunction.
