Comparison of Mobilizing and Immobilizing Splints on Hand Motor Function in Stroke Patients: A Randomiz Clinical Trial

Among several methods for the treatment of wrist-fingers motor function impairment after stroke, splinting is a method commonly used as complementary option. But there are so many controversies surrounding its efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of mobilizing and immobilizing splints on wrist-fingers motor function after stroke.

In this experimental study, 31 stroke patients were selected and divided randomly into three groups including: mobilizing splint, immobilizing splint and control group. Participants in intervention groups wore their own splints for eight weeks, five days per week and on average six hours per day. Motor function was measured at baseline and the eighth week by fugl-meyer (FM) scale. The one-way ANOVA was used to compare scores of FM scale between three groups.

Data analysis showed significant increase in motor function only in mobilizing splint group (p=0/001) and this increase was significant compared with other groups (p=0/001).

Based on these findings, using a mobilizing splint compared with immobilizing splint could have better functional results for treating wrist and finger motor impairment in post-stroke patients.