A survey of rationales for and against hand splinting in hemiplegia.

This study investigated rationales underlying splinting decisions involving patients with hemiplegia. The survey incorporated a limited-choice, multiple-option questionnaire based on the case study of a man with a left hemiparesis at three hypothetical stages of recovery. Ninety-three occupational therapists who answered indicated whether they would or would not recommend a splint at each stage, and selected one or more reasons for their decisions. The respondents fell into three major categories: those who would 1. never splint, 2. always splint, and 3. splint only in the presence of moderate to severe spasticity. Those with longer clinical experience reflected more tendency to splint. The results indicated conflicting practices in splinting and showed the need for further clinical research in this area.