Effect of Different Types of Splinting on Spasticity and Function of Upper Exterimity of Cva and CP Patients: A Systematic Review

Neurological disorders such as Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA) and Cerebral Palsy (CP) are the major causes of disability in adults and functional disability of the upper limbs. These are the most major difficulties that make a person unable to perform daily activities. Splinting is a kind of rehabilitation intervention in therapeutic performance that increases the process of recovery and decreases the level of functional disability post-disorder. The purpose of the present study was to categorize and review articles concerning the effect of splinting on spasticity and upper extremity function in children with CP and CVA patients.
The current study includes a combination of the results of splinting on spasticity and upper extremity function in children with CP and CVA patients. The study was conducted using the evidence-based Duffy method.
From among 46 articles found in the field of splinting and their results on the function of CVA and CP patients, only 25 used the inclusion criteria for the type of splinting categorized as: Volar splint, Dorsal splint, Volar-Dorsal splint, Extension splint, C-Bar splint, Dynamic Splint, Anti-pronation splint, and Saebo splint. The results showed no significant differences between the effects of Volar splint, Dorsal splint, and Volar-Dorsal splint on upper extremity function, but due to the ease of using a Dorsal splint, it is more useful than other static splints. Furthermore, the C-Bar splint was found to be most useful and sufficient for finger activity and active Range of Motion of the hand.
The results of the study demonstrated that splinting is a useful method of therapeutic intervention. However, the aim of splinting, the patients’ condition, and the therapist’s opinion on splinting are the factors that should be the most attended to.