Combined Static and Dynamic Orthotic Treatment of the PIP Joint

Phase 4

Completed

• Conditions: Health Behaviour
• Interventions: Procedure: conventional treatment Physical Therapy; Procedure: dynamic extension contracture orthotic

• Registration Number: NCT01914991
• Lead Sponsor: University of Malaga

Brief Summary

Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical study. Introduction: Physiotherapeutic intervention aiming to restore mobility using different techniques as stretching, hot packs, exercises, therapeutic ultrasound and orthotics. No scientific evidence has been found correlating improved joint mobility and the use of these techniques. Application techniques of orthoses to reshape the soft tissues have been well detailed, however, no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness on proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) lag extension resolution using them as a single treatment has been found.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study was to test the effectiveness of static and dynamic orthosis in patients with a PIPJ flexion retraction using them as a single treatment compared with traditional combined therapies.

Method: 63 participants were included in the study. Patients who used splints were compared to a control group who received conventional treatment. Active and passive mobility were measured before the experiment and again three months after. All the patients were measured under the same conditions and treated by the same hand therapist. The relationship between contracture resolution and function was measured using the DASH Spanish Version.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-06
• Primary Completion: 2011-09
• Study Completion: 2013-01
• Study First Submitted: 2013-07-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-08-01
• Study First Posted: 2013-08-02
• Status Verified: 2014-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-05-05
• Last Update Posted: 2014-05-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 62

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control group	conventional treatment Physical Therapy	Conventional treatment: The treatment consisted of 10 minutes of local thermotherapy (paraffin), active exercises at the PIPJ and DIPJ (Distal interphalangeal joint), 3 sets of 15 repetitions of each exercise extending and flexing of the PIPJ with metacarpophalangeal joint from 0° to 90° respectively. Distal interphalangeal joint exercises were conducted with identical repetitions. The metacarpophalangeal joint and PIPJ exercises took place at 0 ° and involved stretching (5 sets of 3 reps, holding for 10 seconds) and Therapeutic U.S (0.8 w/cm2 / 7 minutes).
Experimental group	dynamic extension contracture orthotic	dynamic extension contracture orthotic. A mobilizing force of 250 - 300 gm/cm2 was set in each one. Patients were instructed to wear it for at least 6 hours per day and then removed it for ADL (Activity Daily Living). A static orthosis was constructed using orfitcast material to the maximum, pain-free length allowed by the tissues at night. Static and dynamic orthoses were checked once a week and adjusted as necessary.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Active Range of motion AROM (degrees)	baseline; post-treatment (3 moths)	AROM and function were measured in all patients at inclusion and at three months after the start of the study. which was measured using a short arm goniometer Stainless Baseline 180°. A lateral measurement following the standardized protocol recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists was used.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Disability of the arm shoulder AND HAND (DASH QUESTIONNAIRE)	baseline; post-treatment (3 moths); 24 weeks follow up	The Spanish standard version of DASH instrument (Rosales et al. 2002) (www.dash.iwh.on.ca) for measuring upper extremity disability was used as a secondary outcome measurement. The questionnaire was given to the participants the day before starting the treatment and again after three months.
changes from postreatment Active range of Motion (AROM) degrees	24 weeks follow up	AROM and function were measured in all patients at inclusion and at three months after the start of the study. which was measured using a short arm goniometer Stainless Baseline 180°. A lateral measurement following the standardized protocol recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists was used.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centro Tecan; 🇪🇸 Malaga, Spain