The effects of wrist hand orthosis use on upper limb activity and difficulty in activities of daily living: Influence of material and design differences

Introduction Wrist hand orthoses are widely used in rehabilitation to improve hand function and alleviate pain. However, their use may restrict wrist motion, causing functional disabilities in activities of daily living (ADLs). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of wrist hand orthoses on upper limb activity during daily life, focusing on differences between padded fiberglass and thermoplastic wrist hand orthoses. Methods 35 healthy, right-handed adults wore two types of wrist hand orthoses (padded fiberglass and thermoplastic) for 24 h during daily activities. Upper limb activity was measured using accelerometers, while ADL difficulties were evaluated using the Hand20 questionnaire. Activity levels were compared across no-orthosis, fiberglass, and thermoplastic orthosis conditions. Results Both wrist hand orthoses significantly reduced upper limb activity (magnitude ratio and use ratio) compared to the no-orthosis condition (p < 0.05). The Hand20 scores indicated greater ADL difficulties under both orthotic conditions, with no significant difference between the two types of orthoses (p > 0.05). Conclusions Wrist hand orthoses restrict wrist and forearm motions, reduce upper limb activity, and increase perceived ADL difficulties. No significant differences were observed between fiberglass and thermoplastic orthoses, suggesting comparable effects on daily life. Design modifications can improve user comfort and functionality.