A Comparative Study on the Immediate Effects of Hand Orthoses on Reducation of Hypertonus

This paper compares the immediate effects of dorsal, volar and no splints in reducing hypertonicity in the wrist flexors of spastic hemiplegic subjects. The measures include: (i) passive range of motion; (ii) angle of point of stretch reflex; (iii) resistance to passive wrist extension; and (iv) force of spontaneous wrist flexion. Results of this study indicate a significant reduction in hypertonicity following both dorsal and volar splint application on the passive range of motion and resistance to passive extension measures (P < .05), and a significant reduction in hypertonicity as measured by spontaneous flexion following two hours of dorsal splint wearing (P < .05). No significant reductions in hypertonicity were noted on the angle of point of stretch reflex measure, and on the force of spontaneous flexion measure. Possible explanations for results and suggestions for further resarch are discussed.