title: Use of commercially produced elastic wrist orthoses in chronic arthritis: a controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the efficacy of wrist orthoses on pain, motion, and function of the wrist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients were randomized to a treatment group using wrist orthoses or to a control group using no wrist orthoses, in a prospective, controlled, 6-month study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes in wrist joint variables and general disease activity variables were not statistically different between the orthosis group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 33). Patients in the orthosis group had 25% and 12% improvements in grip strength and pinch grip and 50% reduction in pain while using the wrist orthosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of wrist orthoses improves function and reduces pain, but has no effects after 6 months, compared to a control group, on measures of local or general disease activity.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kjeken
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kvien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014953:Wrist