Patient satisfaction with the CMC controller: A cohort study.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. INTRODUCTION: The evidence specific to understanding patient satisfaction, preference and the effects on occupational performance using a CMC orthosis is sparse. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The main purpose of this study was to determine patient satisfaction, aspects of the orthotic preference, and the effect on pain and function of the CMC Controller Plus neoprene orthotic device. METHODS: This research was conducted at two outpatient clinics located in Pennsylvania and Florida during 2019. The subjects of this study included any individuals referred to one of two participating hand therapy facilities with either a primary or secondary diagnosis of thumb CMC joint arthritis or present with this diagnosis as a comorbidity. The CMC Controller Plus orthosis (Hely & Weber) was provided to each patient by the treating therapist at no cost to the patient after the patient agreed to take part in the study. None of the patients received hand therapy treatment for the CMC pain; the only intervention provided was the CMC Controller Plus. RESULTS: The CMC Controller Plus orthosis improved the patients' functional status and reduced their pain. The effect size for the change in function was large (1.29) compared to the effect size for the reduction in pain which approached moderate at 0.49. DISCUSSION: The CMC Controller Plus orthosis improved the patient's functional status by 52% and reduced their pain by 29%. CONCLUSION: The results were both statistically and clinically significant.

Efficacy of orthotic devices for increased active proximal interphalangeal extension joint range of motion: A systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To determine the efficacy of orthotic devices for increased active proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint range of motion and optimal wearing schedule of the devices to guide clinical practice. The secondary purpose is to capture the outcome measures used by the authors. The final purpose was to determine if recent studies addressed patient satisfaction and adherence in the orthotic management of a PIP joint injury. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the search terms splint, orthotic device, hand orthotic, brace, proximal interphalangeal joint, occupational therapy, and physical therapy using PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ProQuest. The following data were extracted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines: background statement, objectives, data sources, study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions, study appraisal and synthesis methods, results, limitations, conclusions, and implications of key findings. RESULTS: Best results were achieved when the PIP orthoses were worn for a longer duration especially for the treatment of extension deficits. DISCUSSION: Studies that provided a wearing schedule of a minimum of 6 hours obtained the greatest improvements in extension deficits of the PIP joint. CONCLUSION: Recommended orthotic dosage to treat PIP joint injury is at least 6 hours a day for 8-17 weeks.