title: Multi-axis shoulder abduction splint in acute burn rehabilitation: a randomized controlled pilot trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The traditional thermoplastic aeroplane splint for axillary burn contracture is heavy, uncomfortable, and time consuming and difficult to put on and off. The present study tested the effectiveness of a newly designed multi-axis shoulder abduction splint with an easy-to-change angle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled parallel assessor blinded pilot.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient rehabilitation center in a general hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients with recent (< 30 days) burns around the shoulder joint were randomized into two groups. After two dropouts, 11 patients used the new splint for four weeks and 13 patient were left unsplinted for four weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The newly designed multi-axis shoulder abduction splint keeps the shoulder abducted at the highest possible angle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The range of motion of the shoulder joint was measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Active abduction, flexion, and external rotation were measured according to the zero position method by placing the axis of the goniometer ventral to the shoulder joint.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated-measure ANOVA revealed that the splint group developed significantly better abduction (P = 0.020) and flexion (P = 0.036) over 4 weeks than the non-splint group. ANCOVA using the initial (0 week) angle and Shoulder Burn Depth Index as covariates revealed that the splint group had significantly better abduction than the non-splint group (P = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new multi-axis shoulder abduction splint resulted in a significant improvement in shoulder abduction angle compared to unsplinted patients.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine, KangNam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical College, South Korea jangkiun@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Ki Un
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical College, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical College, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical College, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical College, South Korea.
authors.forename: Cheong Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Burn Center, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical College, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003286:Contracture / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012782:Shoulder; D013165:Splints
keywords: Burns; contracture; multi-axis; shoulder; splint