Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of the modified wrist-hand orthosis on the spasm and function of wrist-hand in hemiplegic patients. Methods 56 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were divided into observation group (n=28) and control group (n=28). All the patients received routine rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and Hufschmidt therapy. The observation group wore modified wrist-hand orthosis 4-8 hours a day after the treatment, with interval of 15 min per 30-60 min. All the patients were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), simple Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and active range of motion (AROM) of flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation of wrist before and 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment. Results There was no significant improvement in both groups 4 weeks after treatment, nor difference between groups. The scores of MAS and FMA improved 8 weeks after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and improved more in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). While the AROMs improved in the observation groups (P<0.05), and the AROM of extension was more than that of the control group (P<0.01). 12 weeks after treatment, the scores of MAS and FMA improved further in the observation group (P<0.01), and improved more than those of the control group (P<0.01). The AROMs of flexion, extension and radial deviation improved more in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The modified wrist-hand orthosis can obviously relieve the spasm of wrist-hand flexor in patients with hemiplegia after stroke, and promote the motor function.

Key words: stroke, hemiplegia, flexor, spasm, wrist-hand orthosis, active range of motion