The strongest evidence supports postsurgical early active motion protocol s and splinting for various conditions .
Very few studies have examined occupation-based interventions .
Occupational therapy practitioners are key health care providers for people with musculoskeletal disorders of the distal upper extremity .
It is imperative that practitioners underst and the most effective and efficient means for remediating impairments and supporting clients in progressing to independence in purpose ful occupations .
This systematic review provides an up date to a previous review by summarizing articles published between 2006 and July 2014 related to the focused question , What is the evidence for the effect of occupational therapy interventions on functional outcomes for adults with musculoskeletal disorders of the forearm , wrist , and h and ?
A systematic review of rehabilitation protocols after surgical repair of the extensor tendons in zones V-VIII of the hand.
STUDY DESIGN Systematic review . INTRODUCTION Controversy exists as to which rehabilitation protocol provides the best outcomes for patients after surgical repair of the extensor tendons of the h and . PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To determine which rehabilitation protocol yields the best outcomes with respect to range of motion and grip strength in extensor zones V-VIII of the h and . METHODS A comprehensive literature review and assessment was undertaken by two independent review ers . Method ological quality of r and omized controlled trials and cohort studies was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network scale . RESULTS Seventeen articles were included in the final analysis ( κ=0.9 ) . From this total , seven evaluated static splinting , 12 evaluated dynamic splinting  , and four evaluated early active splinting . Static splinting yielded " excellent/good " results ranging from 63 % ( minimum ) to 100 % ( maximum ) on the total active motion ( TAM ) classification scheme and TAM ranging from 185 ° ( minimum ) to 258 ° ( maximum ) across zones V-VIII . Dynamic splinting studies demonstrated a percentage of " excellent/good " results ranging from 81 % ( minimum ) and 100 % ( maximum ) and TAM ranging from 214 ° ( minimum ) and 261 ° ( maximum ) . Early active splinting studies showed " excellent/good " results ranging from 81 % ( minimum ) and 100 % ( maximum ) . Only one study evaluated TAM in zones V-VIII , which ranged from 160 ° ( minimum ) and 165 ° ( maximum ) when using two different early active modalities . CONCLUSIONS The available level 3 evidence suggests better outcomes when using dynamic splinting over static splinting . Additional studies comparing dynamic and early active motion protocol s are required before a conclusive recommendation can be made . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2
The strongest evidence supports postsurgical early active motion protocol s and splinting for various conditions .
Very few studies have examined occupation-based interventions .
Occupational therapy practitioners are key health care providers for people with musculoskeletal disorders of the distal upper extremity .
It is imperative that practitioners underst and the most effective and efficient means for remediating impairments and supporting clients in progressing to independence in purpose ful occupations .
This systematic review provides an up date to a previous review by summarizing articles published between 2006 and July 2014 related to the focused question , What is the evidence for the effect of occupational therapy interventions on functional outcomes for adults with musculoskeletal disorders of the forearm , wrist , and h and ?