title: Effects of modified dynamic metacarpophalangeal joint flexion orthoses after hand burn.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of modified dynamic metacarpophalangeal joint flexion orthoses for treatment of post-burn hand contractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 42 hand burn patients with limited range of motion at the metacarpophalangeal joints in this study. The patients were randomly assigned into either a control or an orthotic group. Both groups received the standard rehabilitation therapy focused on hand therapy; 21 subjects in the orthotic group wore a splint for 3 hours per day for 8 weeks. Hand function was measured by active range of motion, grip strength and other assessment tools. All parameters were estimated using the Mann-Whitney U test at the beginning and the end of the treatment after 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 21 subjects that had an orthotic intervention showed significant improvement in the range of motion at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th metacarpophalangeal joints (p<0.05). However, the grip strength was not significantly increased after the 8 weeks of treatment compared to control group (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in the hand function scales between the 2 groups (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modified dynamic metacarpophalangeal joint flexion orthoses provide continuous flexion to metacarpophalangeal joint that is needed for the restoration of range of motion in post-burn hand contractures. For the clinical application of hand orthoses in patients with hand disorders, additional research into its affects are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 150-719, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jeong Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.forename: Ju Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Yun Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Cheong Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Ki Un
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Jang