HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Naganuma, G. M Articles by Billingsley, F. F Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Naganuma, G. M Articles by Billingsley, F. F Related Collections Related Article Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Effect of Hand Splints on Stereotypic Hand Behavior of Three Girls with Rett Syndrome

G. Naganuma, MS, is Staff Physical Therapist, Boyer Children's Clinic, 1850 Boyer Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 (USA). She was a graduate student, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA, when this study was conducted.
F. Billingsley, PhD, is Professor, Area of Special Education, The University of Washington, WJ-10, Seattle, WA 98195.

The purpose of this multiple baseline study was to examine the effect of bilateral hand splints on the persistent stereotypic hand movements of three adolescent girls with Rett syndrome. Among the most characteristic features of Rett syndrome are stereotypic hand-wringing and hand-biting behavior and loss of previously acquired functional hand skills. The hand splints used in this study consisted of cuffs encircling the palm that positioned the subjects' thumbs in abduction. Duration percentages of subjects' stereotypic hand behavior and functional hand use were calculated from five-minute videotaped segments recorded during a finger-feeding condition and a free-time condition. All three subjects demonstrated a decrease in the amount of time spent in stereotypic hand behavior after application of hand splints, and one subject showed an increase in finger-feeding skills while wearing hand splints. Limitations of the study are discussed, and suggestions for clinical application and future research are offered.

Key Words: Hand • Medical conditions • Orthotics/splints/casts, upper extremity • Stereotyped behavior

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Related Article

Effect of Hand Splints on Stereotypic Hand Behavior of Girls with Rett Syndrome: A Replication Study

Helen Tuten and James Miedaner
Physical Therapy 1989 69: 1099-1103. [Abstract] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. R. Pizzamiglio, M. Nasti, L. Piccardi, A. Zotti, C. Vitturini, G. Spitoni, M. V. Nanni, C. Guariglia, and D. Morelli Sensory-Motor Rehabilitation in Rett Syndrome: A Case Report Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, March 1, 2008; 23(1): 49 - 62. [Abstract] [PDF]