Does Splinting Prevent Contracture Following Stroke?

Hand splinting to manage contracture of the wrist and improve function, and reduce pain and spasticity of adults with hemiplegia following stroke.

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12606000230550

Enrollment

Registered

2006-06-06

Start date

2002-10-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-02-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Contracture after stroke is a condition that causes pain and disability in adults with hemiplegia after stroke. It is commonly treated by using hand splints. This trial aimed to evaluate the effect of two types of hand splints used clinically during rehabilitation to prevent contracture: a hand splint that positions the wrist in neutral and a hand splint that positions the wrist in extension. The trial’s primary hypotheses were (i) do commonly prescribed hand splints prevent contracture in people with hemiplegia after stroke, and (ii) do commonly prescribed hand splints improve function, and reduce pain and/or spasticity in people with hemiplegia following stroke. The trial assessed changes in outcomes at four weeks (following removal of splints) and at six weeks (follow-up). All outcomes were measured by a research assistant blind to treatment group allocation.

Interventions

1) Hand splint which positions the wrist in neutral, worn at night for up to 12 hours at a time for 4 weeks. 2) Hand splint which positions the wrist in extension, worn at night for up to 12 hours at a time for 4 weeks.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Prevention

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

i. Medical diagnosis of stroke, which occurred within the previous eightweeks ii.no active wrist extension iii.Sufficient cognitive and hearing function to be able to fully participate in the trial iv.Living in the Sydney metropolitan area to be seen for follow-up clinical examinations.

Exclusion criteria

(i) Previous stroke resulting in an upper limb hemiplegia.(ii) Previous upper limb trauma causing structural imbalance, or reduced range of movement, at the wrist or fingers (for example. a colles fracture).(iii) Osseous abnormality in the wrist or fingers(iv) Arthritic condition of the wrist or fingers.

Outcome results