Effects of dynamic wrist-hand splints for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results structural changes on wrist-hand joints, which can have negative impact on daily activities. Splints are commonly used to reduce pain and improve function of people with RA. The research shows that usage of dynamic splints improves wrist-hand function of people with other conditions. Objective: This systematic review aims to understand impact of dynamic wrist-hand splints on daily activity functioning of people with RA. Study Design: A systematic review. Methods: Search criteria were applied to PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Scopus electronic databases. Only papers, January 1980 to January 2024, conducted use of dynamic wrist-hand splint for people with RA were included. Quality assessment was completed using the Jovell and Navarro-Rubio classification. Results: Five papers that evaluated the use of dynamic wrist-hand splint for people with RA were included. All the papers showed that use of dynamic wrist-hand splints have positive effect on people with RA, but further research is required to show effect of them on daily activity functioning. Conclusion: Use of dynamic wrist-hand splints improves function and preferred to be used more commonly by the people with RA; however, there is not enough research to show its effect on daily activities as most of the research conducted had limitations. Therefore, further research is required to show the impact of dynamic wrist-hand splint of daily activities for people with RA.