Cohort study.
The evidence specific to understanding patient satisfaction, preference and the effects on occupational performance using a CMC orthosis is sparse.
The main purpose of this study was to determine patient satisfaction, aspects of the orthotic preference, and the effect on pain and function of the CMC Controller Plus neoprene orthotic device.
This research was conducted at two outpatient clinics located in Pennsylvania and Florida during 2019. The subjects of this study included any individuals referred to one of two participating hand therapy facilities with either a primary or secondary diagnosis of thumb CMC joint arthritis or present with this diagnosis as a comorbidity. The CMC Controller Plus orthosis (Hely & Weber) was provided to each patient by the treating therapist at no cost to the patient after the patient agreed to take part in the study. None of the patients received hand therapy treatment for the CMC pain; the only intervention provided was the CMC Controller Plus.
The CMC Controller Plus orthosis improved the patients' functional status and reduced their pain. The effect size for the change in function was large (1.29) compared to the effect size for the reduction in pain which approached moderate at 0.49.
The CMC Controller Plus orthosis improved the patient's functional status by 52% and reduced their pain by 29%.
The results were both statistically and clinically significant.