ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study was designed to determine the effects of Volar-Dorsal Wrist/Hand Immobilization Splint on upper extremity motor components and function of stroke patients.
Methods: fourteen patients were participated in this study. The patients were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were given the splint after a primary evaluation. They were reevaluated after one, two and three months. In order to assess spasticity, the range of motion, and upper extremity function, the Modified Ashworth Scale [MAS], the goniometry, and fugl-meyer assessment were used respectively. The splints were used 2 hours during the day and the whole night in three months.
Results: The amount of the upper extremity function changes [P [v] =0.07] was not significant: and the amount of the ranges of the motion changes [P [v] =0.02] were statistically significant. The changes in range of motion of other joints and spasticity were not significant [P [v]>.05].
Discussion: The results of the present study indicated that, volar-dorsal wrist/hand immobilization splints can improve the AROM of metha-carpophalengeal joints. Although spasticity, the range of motion of other joints, and the upper extremity function went through some changes due to splinting [3month], these changes were not significant, which requires further research.