Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a hand splint with reflex inhibitory
characteristics on balance and functional ambulation activities by means of a
randomly allocated controlled study. METHODS: Nineteen chronic stroke patients
were randomly allocated to the control (n = 9) and study (n = 10) groups to
compare the immediate and long-term effects of a splint with reflex inhibitory
characteristics. The patients in the splinted group were asked to wear their
splints at least 2 hours each day, during ambulation or when they felt the need.
Subjects were evaluated initially and after 2, 4, and 6 months of splint usage
with the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach test (FR), Timed Up & Go test
(TUG), and L test. The same tests were used to evaluate the control group.
RESULTS: Timed within-group assessments showed no difference in the control group
across the time interval. A favorable difference was detected in some of the
evaluations for FR, TUG, and L test in the study group. Intergroup comparisons
showed that the only difference between the groups was seen for TUG values at the
fourth assessment in favor of the study group. Qualitative evaluations showed
that the patients were compliant and generally satisfied with their splints.
CONCLUSION: Hand splints with reflex inhibitory characteristics have no
significant effect on balance and functional ambulation activities in chronic
poststroke patients. Further studies investigating their effect on pain and
associated reactions in this patient population are warranted.

Langue : ANGLAIS