ABSTRACT
Commercial static wrist extensor orthoses are frequently used when joint support, rather than immobilization, is desired. This study compared hand function, comfort, and interference during daily tasks when 23 able-bodied women used their unencumbered dominant hands and when they wore each of five commercial static wrist extensor orthoses: Kendall-Futuro #33, AliMed Freedom Long, AliMed Freedom Short, Rolyan D-Ring, and LMB Wrist Rest. There was no significant difference in hand speeds among the orthoses for six of the seven tasks within the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. However, when subject comfort and interference during daily activities were considered in conjunction with speed, the shorter padded orthosis (represented by the Rolyan D-ring) appeared to be a desirable "first choice" among the commercial orthoses that were studied.
