The Effect of Neoprene Volar Hand Splint on Grip Strength and Spasticity in a Post-stroke Patient (A Pilot Study)

Grip strength and muscle tone of the upper limb is one of the most important factors changed in post-stroke patients. The effect of splint in the reduction of muscle tone and strength in patients with stroke is significant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of volar neoprene hand splint on grip strength and spasticity in a patient with stroke.
In this study, volar neoprene hand splint used in a patient with stroke for 8.5 hours a day for 10 weeks. Weekly evaluation included spasticity and grip strength, using the Ashworth Scale and dynamometer.
The numerical value for grip strength at baseline and without the splint was 0.53 kg and at the end of the tenth session evaluation was 3.03 kg. The numerical value of grip strength of wearing splint was at baseline and last session was 0.1 and 2.5 respectively. There was significant difference on grip strength in wearing splint in the last session. This study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in spasticity by using volar splint.
The results of this study on the use of volar splint neoprene on grip strength and spasticity showed significant changes in the measured items which suggest a positive effect of considered splint on the patient of this study.