Functional Splinting efficacy in a Specific Task Home Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study is to investigate whether wearing a functional hand splint adds benefit to carrying out a task-specific home program. Methods Thirty-three children were randomly assigned to the Specific Task and Splint Group or to a comparison group. Participants were evaluated before and after 6 weeks of intervention and at 14 weeks of follow-up. Results Both groups improved on the Assisting Hand Assessment and the Children’s Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (AHA Units p = .000; CHEQ bimanual tasks p = .000; CHEQ grasp efficacy p = .000 and CHEQ time utilization p = .018). No differences were found between the groups after the intervention or after the follow-up. Conclusions Hand skills improved in both groups who received a task-specific home program. Wearing a functional hand splint did not appear to improve effectiveness in addition to the home program. This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03282422).