Less is more: Dynamic splint design for stroke patients

Post-stroke spasticity, as a common symptom after stroke, reduces limb function. Zeng and colleagues (2021) found that 25.3% of stroke survivors experience this symptom, and the impaired upper extremity motion limits their ability to perform ADLs independently (Raghavan, 2015). Static or dynamic splinting is one of the primary interventions provided by occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to help patients maintain range of motion against hypertonicity or assist in completing desired movement (Bhagavatula & Chang, 2021; Woo et al., 2013). (See Figure 1).