title: Pilot study: does lower extremity night splinting assist in the management of painful peripheral neuropathy in the HIV/AIDS population?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pain associated with peripheral neuropathy (PN) observed in patients living with HIV/AIDS represents a difficult complication to manage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 22 participants with a diagnosis of PN were recruited to assess the effects of using night splints on pain and sleep quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  For 3 weeks, the participants were instructed to use bilateral night splints and given an exercise regimen for 3 additional weeks. Scores from pain and sleep questionnaires were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The change in pain scores (F(1.16) = 13.41,η(2) =.456, P = .002) and sleep index scores (z = -2.69, P = .004, 1-tailed) was found to be significant following the use of night splints. No difference was found with the use of the exercises.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of night splints in HIV-infected patients with PN represents an additional tool for managing pain and improving sleep.
authors.affiliation: Harris County Hospital District, Rehabilitation Services Department, Thomas Street Health Center, 2015 Thomas St, Houston, TX 77009, USA. Robert_sandoval@hchd.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sandoval
authors.forename: Britt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Runft
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roddey
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012890:Sleep; D013165:Splints