Implementation of the Dart-throwing Motion Plane in Hand Therapy After Distal Radius Fractures

The Dart Splint orthosis was fitted to the subjects in the research group on their first evaluation session. They received oral and written instructions regarding the donning and manner of exercise. Specifically, they were instructed to use the Dart splint orthosis at home. For each 10-minute exercise session, they were asked to perform 5 minutes of radial-extension under resistance and then 5 minutes ulnar-flexion under resistance. In addition, this group was required to fill in a chart at the end of each practice session (morning, noon and evening), throughout the intervention period.

The control group activated the wrist mostly in the sagittal plane. This group was instructed to perform at home active wrist motion similar to that practiced during the supervised therapy sessions. The prescribed instructions were similar to the exercises performed during the sessions. Specifically, they were instructed to exercise at home for 10-minute in each session, three times a day (morning, noon and evening), throughout the intervention period.