Static Versus Dynamic Splints for Wrist Spasticity in Stroke Patients

University of Lahore

Status: Completed

Conditions: Spasticity; Stroke; Hemiplegia; Post Stroke Recovery

Treatments: Device: Dynamic Wrist-Hand Splint; Device: Static Wrist-Hand Splint

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07301606

UOL/IREB/25/09/0030

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether different types of wrist-hand splints can reduce wrist flexor spasticity in subacute hemiplegic stroke patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does a dynamic wrist-hand splint reduce wrist spasticity more effectively than a static splint?
• Does one type of splint lead to better functional outcome during use? Researchers will compare participants who receive a static splint with those who receive a dynamic splint to see which splint provides greater improvement in wrist spasticity.

Participants will:

• Wear either a static or dynamic wrist-hand splint according to the assigned study group.
• Undergo wrist spasticity assessments before and after the intervention using a standardized clinical scale.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 30-65 years
• Diagnosis of subacute stroke (e.g., 1-6 months post-stroke)
• Presence of wrist flexor spasticity
• Ability to follow simple instructions

Exclusion criteria

• Fixed wrist contracture
• Severe pain limiting splint use
• Other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the upper limb

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Arm 1 (Static wrist-hand splint)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive a static wrist-hand splint, which is designed to hold the wrist and fingers in a fixed position. The splint is worn according to the rehabilitation protocol, typically for several hours per day, to help maintain joint alignment, prevent contractures, and reduce wrist flexor spasticity. Participants will undergo wrist spasticity assessments at baseline and at the end of the intervention period.

Treatment:

Device: Static Wrist-Hand Splint

Arm 2 (Dynamic wrist-hand splint)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will receive a dynamic wrist-hand splint, which applies gentle, graded extension forces to the wrist and fingers while allowing limited movement. The splint is worn according to the rehabilitation protocol, typically for several hours per day, to reduce wrist flexor spasticity and improve wrist positioning. Participants will undergo wrist spasticity assessments at baseline and at the end of the intervention period.

Treatment:

Device: Dynamic Wrist-Hand Splint