Skip to content

What's New — Hand Therapy — April 2026

12 new articles published this month.

Themes: Orthotic and Assistive Device Innovation · Peripheral Nerve Injuries and Compression · Rehabilitation Interventions and Clinical Outcomes · Ergonomics and Kinematics

Digest generated 2026-05-09 03:58:53+00:00.

Highlights

Orthotic and Assistive Device Innovation

This theme highlights recent advancements in orthotic design and assistive technologies for hand therapy. Research includes the development of a new sling for brachial plexus injury [3], extension gloves for children with epidermolysis bullosa [6], and an automated custom finger orthosis for virtual therapy [7]. Additionally, studies evaluate 3D-printed relative motion orthoses compared to traditional thermoplastic tape [8]. These innovations aim to improve patient function, comfort, and accessibility to care through novel materials and digital integration.

Peripheral Nerve Injuries and Compression

Articles in this cluster focus on the diagnosis, management, and epidemiology of peripheral nerve conditions. A systematic review emphasizes the critical importance of identifying red flags in elbow pain to prevent missed diagnoses [9]. Another study provides an educational guide for recognizing ulnar nerve compression [4]. Furthermore, an analysis of 20 years of emergency department data explores the presentation and trends of median, radial, and ulnar nerve injuries [10]. These resources support clinicians in improving early detection and comprehensive care for nerve pathologies.

Rehabilitation Interventions and Clinical Outcomes

This theme covers specific therapeutic interventions and their effects on clinical outcomes. A study examines the impact of compressive tissue flossing on lateral elbow tendinopathy in service members [1]. Another systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of proprioceptive training for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis [12]. Additionally, research on thermal changes following distal radius fractures provides insight into post-injury physiology [5]. Finally, a study investigates how real-time visual feedback influences force development during grip tasks [11], offering evidence for biofeedback strategies in rehabilitation.

Ergonomics and Kinematics

This single-article theme addresses the biomechanical aspects of hand movement and potential risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. The article analyzes the movement patterns of the wrist and metacarpal joints in spatial planes during typing [2]. By establishing a foundation for kinematic risk factors, this research contributes to understanding how repetitive tasks may contribute to hand disorders, informing ergonomic interventions and preventive strategies in clinical practice.

Articles by Theme

Orthotic and Assistive Device Innovation (4)

3. Gushikem A, de Mendonça Cardoso M, Baldassin V, et al. Development of a new sling for improving function in people with brachial plexus injury: A mixed cohort. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2025.12.019

This mixed-cohort study developed and evaluated a new sling designed to improve function in individuals with brachial plexus injury. The results indicate that the new sling enhances functional outcomes compared to standard care. This device represents a promising therapeutic tool for optimizing rehabilitation and daily living activities in patients with brachial plexus injuries.

6. von Gunten M, Folly P, Vögelin E, et al. Development and evaluation of extension gloves for children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: A case report. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.01.002

A case report describes the development and evaluation of extension gloves for children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The gloves were designed to address specific functional and dermatological challenges associated with the condition. This intervention demonstrates potential for improving hand function and quality of life in pediatric patients with this rare genetic disorder.

7. Miles D, Tadesse Y. Design and feasibility testing of an automated custom finger orthosis for virtual therapy. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.01.004

This study designed and conducted feasibility testing of an automated custom finger orthosis for use in virtual therapy. The results indicate that the device is feasible for integration into virtual rehabilitation environments. This technology offers a novel approach to enhancing engagement and precision in finger rehabilitation through virtual reality platforms.

8. Okumuş FS, Sığırtmaç İC, Arslan ÖB, et al. The development of a 3D-printed relative motion orthosis and field testing of 3D and thermoplastic tape relative motion orthoses. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.005

This study developed a 3D-printed relative motion orthosis and compared its performance against 3D and thermoplastic tape relative motion orthoses through field testing. The findings highlight the potential of 3D-printed devices to offer customized and effective orthotic solutions. Clinicians may consider 3D-printed orthoses as a viable alternative for managing specific hand conditions requiring relative motion support.

Peripheral Nerve Injuries and Compression (3)

4. Romano AC, Chenowith A, Holden C, et al. Hiding in plain sight: A provider's educational guide to recognizing ulnar nerve compression. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2025.12.022

This article serves as an educational guide for healthcare providers to recognize ulnar nerve compression, often referred to as 'hiding in plain sight.' It emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis to prevent missed or delayed treatment. Clinicians are encouraged to utilize this guide to improve their clinical reasoning and early detection of ulnar neuropathies.

9. Rossi F, Cioeta M, Palatini A, et al. The importance of identifying red flags in patients with elbow pain: A systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.009

This systematic review emphasizes the critical role of recognizing red flags in clinical assessments for patients presenting with elbow pain. The findings highlight that early identification of serious underlying conditions is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management.

10. Boroumand S, Ajjawi I, Gu E, et al. Exploring 20 years of peripheral nerve injuries of the upper extremity: An analysis of median, radial, and ulnar nerve injuries presenting to US emergency departments. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.012

This study analyzed two decades of data on upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries, specifically median, radial, and ulnar nerve injuries, presenting to US emergency departments. The analysis provides insights into the epidemiology and trends of these injuries, informing emergency care protocols and resource allocation.

Rehabilitation Interventions and Clinical Outcomes (4)

1. Elam JE, Haugen TA, Culley KA, et al. The effects of a compressive tissue flossing program on the symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in U.S. service members. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2025.12.007

This study evaluated the efficacy of a compressive tissue flossing program on symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy in U.S. service members. The findings suggest that this intervention may effectively reduce pain and improve function in this specific population. Clinically, compressive tissue flossing offers a viable non-invasive treatment option for managing lateral elbow tendinopathy in military personnel.

5. Sakurai T, Yamazaki H, Abe Y, et al. Thermal changes and clinical outcomes following distal radius fractures: A study on heat production. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.01.001

This study investigated thermal changes and clinical outcomes following distal radius fractures, focusing on heat production during the healing process. The findings correlate thermal variations with clinical recovery metrics, providing objective data on tissue healing. Understanding these thermal patterns can aid clinicians in monitoring fracture healing and adjusting rehabilitation protocols accordingly.

11. Saavedra-Barbosa HM, Uygur M, de Freitas PB. Real-time visual feedback of exerted force does not affect maximal grip force but influences rate of force development. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.014

This study investigated whether real-time visual feedback of exerted force impacts maximal grip force and the rate of force development in hand therapy. Results indicate that while visual feedback does not alter maximal grip force, it significantly influences the rate of force development, suggesting its utility in specific rehabilitation contexts.

12. Eapen C, Aggarwal V, Thomas DT, et al. Effectiveness of proprioceptive training in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.015

This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of proprioceptive training interventions for patients diagnosed with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. The findings suggest that proprioceptive training may offer benefits for functional outcomes, supporting its inclusion as a therapeutic option in clinical practice.

Ergonomics and Kinematics (1)

2. Ito T, Kokubun T. The movement patterns of the wrist and metacarpal joints in spatial planes during typing as a foundation of possible kinematic risk factor of hand musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Hand Therapy 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2025.12.011

Researchers analyzed the movement patterns of the wrist and metacarpal joints in spatial planes during typing to identify potential kinematic risk factors for hand musculoskeletal disorders. The study provides a foundational understanding of how specific joint motions contribute to repetitive strain injuries. These insights can inform ergonomic interventions and preventive strategies for individuals engaged in prolonged typing activities.

Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0

CC Creative Commons licence
BY Attribution — you must credit the source
NC NonCommercial — not for commercial use

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International

Creative Commons Corporation ("Creative Commons") is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice. Distribution of Creative Commons public licenses does not create a lawyer-client or other relationship. Creative Commons makes its licenses and related information available on an "as-is" basis. Creative Commons gives no warranties regarding its licenses, any material licensed under their terms and conditions, or any related information. Creative Commons disclaims all liability for damages resulting from their use to the fullest extent possible.

Using Creative Commons Public Licenses

Creative Commons public licenses provide a standard set of terms and conditions that creators and other rights holders may use to share original works of authorship and other material subject to copyright and certain other rights specified in the public license below. The following considerations are for informational purposes only, are not exhaustive, and do not form part of our licenses.

Considerations for licensors: Our public licenses are intended for use by those authorized to give the public permission to use material in ways otherwise restricted by copyright and certain other rights. Our licenses are irrevocable. Licensors should read and understand the terms and conditions of the license they choose before applying it. Licensors should also secure all rights necessary before applying our licenses so that the public can reuse the material as expected. Licensors should clearly mark any material not subject to the license. This includes other CC- licensed material, or material used under an exception or limitation to copyright. More considerations for licensors: wiki.creativecommons.org/Considerations_for_licensors

Considerations for the public: By using one of our public licenses, a licensor grants the public permission to use the licensed material under specified terms and conditions. If the licensor's permission is not necessary for any reason--for example, because of any applicable exception or limitation to copyright--then that use is not regulated by the license. Our licenses grant only permissions under copyright and certain other rights that a licensor has authority to grant. Use of the licensed material may still be restricted for other reasons, including because others have copyright or other rights in the material. A licensor may make special requests, such as asking that all changes be marked or described. Although not required by our licenses, you are encouraged to respect those requests where reasonable. More considerations for the public: wiki.creativecommons.org/Considerations_for_licensees

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License

By exercising the Licensed Rights (defined below), You accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License ("Public License"). To the extent this Public License may be interpreted as a contract, You are granted the Licensed Rights in consideration of Your acceptance of these terms and conditions, and the Licensor grants You such rights in consideration of benefits the Licensor receives from making the Licensed Material available under these terms and conditions.

Section 1 -- Definitions.

a. Adapted Material means material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights that is derived from or based upon the Licensed Material and in which the Licensed Material is translated, altered, arranged, transformed, or otherwise modified in a manner requiring permission under the Copyright and Similar Rights held by the Licensor. For purposes of this Public License, where the Licensed Material is a musical work, performance, or sound recording, Adapted Material is always produced where the Licensed Material is synched in timed relation with a moving image.

b. Adapter's License means the license You apply to Your Copyright and Similar Rights in Your contributions to Adapted Material in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Public License.

c. Copyright and Similar Rights means copyright and/or similar rights closely related to copyright including, without limitation, performance, broadcast, sound recording, and Sui Generis Database Rights, without regard to how the rights are labeled or categorized. For purposes of this Public License, the rights specified in Section 2(b)(1)-(2) are not Copyright and Similar Rights.

d. Effective Technological Measures means those measures that, in the absence of proper authority, may not be circumvented under laws fulfilling obligations under Article 11 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty adopted on December 20, 1996, and/or similar international agreements.

e. Exceptions and Limitations means fair use, fair dealing, and/or any other exception or limitation to Copyright and Similar Rights that applies to Your use of the Licensed Material.

f. Licensed Material means the artistic or literary work, database, or other material to which the Licensor applied this Public License.

g. Licensed Rights means the rights granted to You subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, which are limited to all Copyright and Similar Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material and that the Licensor has authority to license.

h. Licensor means the individual(s) or entity(ies) granting rights under this Public License.

i. NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation. For purposes of this Public License, the exchange of the Licensed Material for other material subject to Copyright and Similar Rights by digital file-sharing or similar means is NonCommercial provided there is no payment of monetary compensation in connection with the exchange.

j. Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.

k. Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.

l. You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 -- Scope.

a. License grant.

1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

a. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part, for NonCommercial purposes only; and

b. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material for NonCommercial purposes only.

2. Exceptions and Limitations. For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.

3. Term. The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a).

4. Media and formats; technical modifications allowed. The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a) (4) never produces Adapted Material.

5. Downstream recipients.

a. Offer from the Licensor -- Licensed Material. Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.

b. No downstream restrictions. You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.

6. No endorsement. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i).

b. Other rights.

1. Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.

2. Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.

3. To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties, including when the Licensed Material is used other than for NonCommercial purposes.

Section 3 -- License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

a. Attribution.

1. If You Share the Licensed Material (including in modified form), You must:

a. retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material:

i. identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);

ii. a copyright notice;

iii. a notice that refers to this Public License;

iv. a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;

v. a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;

b. indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and

c. indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.

2. You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.

3. If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

4. If You Share Adapted Material You produce, the Adapter's License You apply must not prevent recipients of the Adapted Material from complying with this Public License.

Section 4 -- Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

a. for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database for NonCommercial purposes only;

b. if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and

c. You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4 supplements and does not replace Your obligations under this Public License where the Licensed Rights include other Copyright and Similar Rights.

Section 5 -- Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

a. UNLESS OTHERWISE SEPARATELY UNDERTAKEN BY THE LICENSOR, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE LICENSOR OFFERS THE LICENSED MATERIAL AS-IS AND AS-AVAILABLE, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE LICENSED MATERIAL, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHER. THIS INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, ACCURACY, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ERRORS, WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR DISCOVERABLE. WHERE DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS DISCLAIMER MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

b. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, IN NO EVENT WILL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHER LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS PUBLIC LICENSE OR USE OF THE LICENSED MATERIAL, EVEN IF THE LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES. WHERE A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN FULL OR IN PART, THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

c. The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 -- Term and Termination.

a. This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

b. Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a), it reinstates:

1. automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or

2. upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6(b) does not affect any right the Licensor may have to seek remedies for Your violations of this Public License.

c. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.

d. Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 -- Other Terms and Conditions.

a. The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.

b. Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 -- Interpretation.

a. For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.

b. To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.

c. No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.

d. Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.

Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies, Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark "Creative Commons" or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

Creative Commons may be contacted at creativecommons.org.