Nighttime Hand Braces Could Help Improve Duchenne Patients’ Muscle Function

A recent study has found that wearing hand braces while sleeping may help boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy retain some of their muscle function.

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The small clinical trial had eight boys with the condition who had impaired wrist extension wear a hand brace on alternate hands each night for eight months.  The boys’ hand function, including grip strength, fine motor control, and wrist extension mobility, was evaluated every month for between six and twelve months before starting the trial and then each month during the trial.

All of the boys saw improvements in hand function. Researchers hope that the hand brace could help to delay contractures. They believe doctors should monitor Duchenne patients’ wrist joint mobility to determine when the best time to start wearing the brace would be. Find out more about this study here. 

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