Article

The use of splints in neurorehabilitation is common, with splints being used to
meet varied clinical aims. This paper explores the use of splints after stroke
and examines the rationale underpinning current use. It covers the use of splints
to reduce spasticity, prevent contracture and improve activity. As well as
presenting the theoretical rationale underpinning splinting as an intervention,
it examines the current evidence from randomised trials testing the theories. In
summary, there is strong evidence that wearing a splint all night has no
additional effect in reducing spasticity over usual therapy or in preventing
contracture, whether the wrist is splinted in neutral or in maximum extension. It
is not surprising that splinting has not shown an effect on activity, given that
there was little effect on the impairments that it was directed towards. In
conclusion, it is now time to re-focus on improving muscle performance in order
to enable activity rather than preparing the patient for function by affecting
abnormal reflex activity.

Langue : ANGLAIS