Study designs of evaluations included in the review
All studies that addressed the study question, regardless of design, were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies investigating splinting for osteoarthritis of the CMC joint were eligible for inclusion. Studies were excluded if they reported on the effectiveness of post-surgical splinting, or the effectiveness of splinting as an adjunct to a medical procedure (e.g. cortisone injection). The included studies compared splinting with no treatment or compared different types of splint.
Participants included in the review
Studies of adults with osteoarthritis of the CMC joint were eligible for the review. Most of the participants in the included studies were women. The average age, where reported, ranged from 53 to 67 years.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The outcomes reported were pain, comfort, function and pinch strength.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
One reviewer screened titles and abstracts. One reviewer selected studies that met the inclusion criteria.