AN EVALUATION OF THE SOFT SPLINT IN THE ACUTE MANAGEMENT OF ELBOW HYPERTONICITY

This paper presents an evaluation of the Soft Splint used in the management of hypertonicity at the elbow. An ''A1,B1,A2,B2'' single system design was used with elbow range of motion, measured with a standard goniometer, as the dependent variable. Visual analysis of the data and the two standard deviation band method of data analysis indicated that the Soft Splint is highly effective in the management of hypertonicity. Elbow range of motion improved significantly during the intervention phases. During the A2 (non-intervention) phase the measurements returned to the baseline level. The findings support the continuing use of the Soft Splint in reducing hypertonicity at the elbow. Replication of this design is required to generalize the results of this study.