The effectiveness of working wrist splints in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed methods systematic review

Ramsey, Lucia; Winder, Robert John; McVeigh, Joseph G.

The effectiveness of working wrist splints in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed methods systematic review

Files

Effectiveness J Rehabil Med 2014.pdf(420.88 KB)

Published version

Date

2014-04-01

Authors

Ramsey, Lucia

Winder, Robert John

McVeigh, Joseph G.

Publisher

Medical Journals Sweden

Published Version

https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1804

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of working wrist splints in people with rheumatoid arthritis. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Ten databases were searched from inception until September 2012 for quantitative and qualitative studies on the effectiveness of working wrist splints in rheumatoid arthritis. DATA EXTRACTION: Data was extracted on participants, interventions, outcome measures and results. Experimental studies were evaluated using the van Tulder scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data was extracted by a single reviewer and all studies were reviewed by two blind reviewers. DATA SYNTHESIS: Twenty-three studies were included in the review (n = 1,492), 13 experimental studies including 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 2 qualitative studies. Data was summarized using best evidence synthesis and a meta-ethnographical approach guided qualitative evidence synthesis. There is strong quantitative evidence (including 9 RCTs), supported by conclusions from qualitative literature, that working wrist splints reduce pain (d = 0.7-0.8), moderate evidence that grip strength is improved (d = 0.3-0.4) and dexterity impaired and insufficient evidence of their effect on function. CONCLUSIONS: Working wrist splints reduce pain and improve grip in rheumatoid arthritis. The effect of splints on function is not yet clear.

Keywords

Working wrist splint , Rheumatoid arthritis , Mixed methods systematic review

Citation

Ramsey, L., Winder, R. and McVeigh, J. (2014) ‘The effectiveness of working wrist splints in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed methods systematic review’, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 46(6), pp. 481–492. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1804