Comparison of Custom-made Versus Prefabricated Thumb Splinting for Carpometacarpal Arthrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Filed under Reviews, Uncategorized
Baradaran, A., Baradaran, A., Ebrahimzadeh, M. H., Kachooei, A. R., Rivlin, M., & Beredjiklian, P. (2018). Comparison of Custom-made Versus Prefabricated Splint for Carpometacarpal Arthrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The archives of bone and joint surgery, 6(6), 478–485.
Article Review By: Dalton Busch
The Skinny – A systematic review and meta-analysis were composed to compare the effectiveness of prefabricated orthoses versus a custom-made thermoplastic splint. The splints were created to manage carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA). A total of five randomized clinical trials with a total of 230 patients were analyzed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
In the weeds – Within the five randomized controlled trials, the researchers analyzed patients’ disability scores, pain scores, grip, and pinch strength, and integrated the data properly. All of the trials assessed were comparing results of the CMC OA orthoses as a non-surgical alternative. The primary outcome measure included was the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Secondary measures that were extracted by the researchers included pain ratings, grip strength, and pinch strength. Further, the researchers looked into overall demographics, sample size, study design, and the type of splint utilized on the affected thumb.
Bringing it home – Overall findings from the systematic review pointed towards a statistical difference in the overall disability scores of patients who wore the prefabricated versus the custom, showing preference to the prefabricated. The secondary data relating to pain and grip/pinch strength both showed overall improvement wearing either the prefabricated or custom-made orthotic.
Rating (0-5) – 4: This systematic review and meta-analysis were done across five clinical trials with a large sample size of 230 patients. The review shows the effectiveness of both custom and prefabricated orthoses but shows lessened disability scores for prefabricated. The mean follow-up testing was 8.1 weeks which is a short-term retest as CMC OA orthoses could become a lifelong solution for patients who fall within this category. Improved research may look into long-term follow-up for more accurate data.
1 Comment
Leave a Comment
More To Read
3 Household Objects for 9 different Hand Therapy Activities
Do you struggle to develop new treatment ideas or even ideas for your virtual hand therapy visits? Thinking of unique ways to use objects your clients have in their homes can be half the battle. This blog post presents 3 different ways to use 3 everyday items. Item number 1: A tennis ball (hand therapy…
All about kinesiology taping for upper extremity injuries and conditions!
All about kinesiology taping! Elastic is also known as k-tape, Kinesio-tape, and kinesiology taping. Elastic tape is all over the marketplace and is often seen on professional athletes. It can be found in most therapy clinics and is used to treat both orthopedic and neurological conditions. There are limited studies supporting the use of…
Increase Shoulder Range by Improving Scapulohumeral Rhythm
Scapulohumeral rhythm is often the key component when treating shoulder conditions and the lack of total shoulder range of motion. This may also be a critical component to prevent shoulder conditions during the rehabilitation of other upper extremity conditions such as distal radius fractures, tendon injuries, and elbow injuries. Scapulohumeral rhythm is the rhythm in…
A randomized clinical trial comparing early active motion programs: Earlier hand function, TAM, and orthotic satisfaction with a relative motion extension program for zones V and VI extensor tendon repairs
By Brittany Day Collocott SJ, Kelly E, Foster M, Myhr H, Wang A, Ellis RF. A randomized clinical trial comparing early active motion programs: Earlier hand function, TAM, and orthotic satisfaction with a relative motion extension program for zones V and VI extensor tendon repairs. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2019. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2018.10.003 The Skinny- This is…
Sign-up to Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
Sign up with us and we will send you regular blog posts on everything hand therapy, notices every time we upload new videos and tutorials, along with handout, protocols, and other useful information.
This doesn’t surprise me as I think there is a high variability between therapist custom splint designs which may outweigh the potential benefit of having the splint custom fabricated.