The Effect of Resting Hand Splint on Hand Pain and Edema among Patients with Stroke

Headnote

Abstract: Stroke patients often decreased upper extremity function that occurred pain and edema. We researched the effects of resting hand splints on hand pain and on edema in patients with stroke in the acute stage. Participants were randomly allocated to the experiment group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). All participants were treated with general rehabilitation treatment for 30 mins / daily, five days / week, for 12 weeks. In addition, participants in the experiment group wore resting hand splints. The data collected for the study were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. The statistical significance level was set at α=.05. According to the intervention, the changes in the experimental group proved significant differences. By contrast, significant differences were not seen in the control group. In comparing the changes between the groups, significant differences were found in the experiment group in Visual Analogue Scale and in volume of hand, but not in Modified Ashworth Scale. This study researched the effects of resting hand splints on pain and edema in hands of patients in the acute stage of stroke. Significant decreases were found in hand pain and edema in experiment group. Therefore, resting hand splint will in turn contribute to improved upper limb function in stroke patients.

Keywords: Edema, Pain, Resting hand splint, Spasticity, Stroke.

Introduction

After stroke, patients often experience loss of range of motion (ROM) and decreased upper extremity function due to muscular weakness, spasticity, hypoesthesia, and joint deformations in the upper extremity Pizzi A. et al (2005). They can also cause pain, edema, and decrease in range of joint motion, and these complications prevent patients from fully engaging in daily activities, cause depression, and decrease quality of life Boomkamp-Koppen H. et al (2005). Therefore, prevention of pain and edema in stroke patients in the acute stage is an important part of rehabilitation therapy Elovic E. et al (2005). Resting hand splints used as a part of various treatment intervention methods has in general been considered appropriate for decreasing edema, increasing range of joint motion, and decreasing pain from upper limb hypertonia in adult patients. The method is also reported to be effective in decreasing pain and edema and in improving upper limb function Pizzi A. et al (2005), McPherson JJ et al (1982)...