Volume 27, Issue 3 (Autumn-In Press 2026)
jrehab 2026, 27(3): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: IR.MUI.REC.1395.2.260
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Jafarian F S, Sadeghi Demneh E. Effect of Orthotic Interventions on Pain Intensity and Hand Function in Subjects with De Quervain Tenosynovitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. jrehab 2026; 27 (3)
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3735-en.html
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3735-en.html
1- Musculoskeletal Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2- Musculoskeletal Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ,ebrahimsadeghi2000@yahoo.com
2- Musculoskeletal Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ,
Abstract: (18 Views)
Objective: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (DQT) is a prevalent overuse tendinopathy associated with pain and functional impairments that interfere with daily activities. Orthotic interventions are commonly prescribed as a conservative approach; however, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of orthotic interventions on pain and hand function in subjects with DQT, based on studies published over the past 25 years.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of orthoses or splinting in patients with DQT were considered eligible. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2). Relevant data regarding participants characteristics, interventions, and outcome measures were extracted and synthesized. Data synthesis was carried out using Review Manager software. For each outcome measure, standardized mean differences (SMDs) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed.
Results: A total of 125 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were initially identified, of which 13 were included in analyses. Overall, 662 participants were enrolled across the including studies, representing a wide range of ages and clinical characteristics of DQT. Overall, one study was classified as having a “high risk of bias,” eight studies were categorized as having “some concerns,” and four studies were identified as having a “low risk of bias.” Meta-analysis demonstrated that splinting combined with corticosteroid injection (CSI) or neural therapy (NT) resulted in a significant reduction in pain in the short-term [Mean difference= -2.75, 95% CI (-3.21, -2.29), p<0.00001]. However, there was no significant difference at long-term follow-up [Mean difference= -0.34, 95% CI (-1.40, 0.73), p=0.54].
Conclusion: Splinting appears to be an effective conservative intervention for pain management and hand function improvement in subjects with DQT. Significant short-term improvements in pain and hand function were reported when splinting was combined with CSI or NT at one-month follow-up. However, further well-designed RCTs are required to clarify the long-term efficacy of orthotic interventions in individuals with DQT.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of orthoses or splinting in patients with DQT were considered eligible. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2). Relevant data regarding participants characteristics, interventions, and outcome measures were extracted and synthesized. Data synthesis was carried out using Review Manager software. For each outcome measure, standardized mean differences (SMDs) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed.
Results: A total of 125 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were initially identified, of which 13 were included in analyses. Overall, 662 participants were enrolled across the including studies, representing a wide range of ages and clinical characteristics of DQT. Overall, one study was classified as having a “high risk of bias,” eight studies were categorized as having “some concerns,” and four studies were identified as having a “low risk of bias.” Meta-analysis demonstrated that splinting combined with corticosteroid injection (CSI) or neural therapy (NT) resulted in a significant reduction in pain in the short-term [Mean difference= -2.75, 95% CI (-3.21, -2.29), p<0.00001]. However, there was no significant difference at long-term follow-up [Mean difference= -0.34, 95% CI (-1.40, 0.73), p=0.54].
Conclusion: Splinting appears to be an effective conservative intervention for pain management and hand function improvement in subjects with DQT. Significant short-term improvements in pain and hand function were reported when splinting was combined with CSI or NT at one-month follow-up. However, further well-designed RCTs are required to clarify the long-term efficacy of orthotic interventions in individuals with DQT.
Type of Study: Systematic Review |
Subject:
Orthotics & Prosthetics
Received: 24/01/2026 | Accepted: 27/06/2026 | Published: 23/09/2026
Received: 24/01/2026 | Accepted: 27/06/2026 | Published: 23/09/2026
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This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
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