RESTORE

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Rehabilitation Enhancing Support for Therapeutic Orthosis and Rehabilitation Efforts

• IRAS ID

  372629

• Contact name

  Patricia Burns

• Contact email

  TASCgovernance@dundee.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The University of Dundee

• ISRCTN Number

  ISRCTN98767603

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 5 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Many people with wrist and hand conditions such as arthritis, fractures or carpal tunnel syndrome are prescribed wrist hand orthoses orthoses (WHOs) to reduce pain and help with daily activities. However, there is limited research on how well these splints actually work in real-life situations.
  The RESTORE study will test how effective a new wrist splint is by measuring people's hand strength, wrist movement, and pain levels when performing a standarised, timed assessment of fine and gross motor hand function through simulated daily activities(Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test).
  We are looking for 30 adults aged 18-79 who currently use a prescribed wrist or wrist-thumb splint. Participants must be right-handed and have conditions affecting their wrist or hand, such as arthritis, previous injuries, nerve problems like carpal tunnel syndrome.

  This research has two phases, with the first phase split into two sessions, comparing own prescribed WHO and new WHO:

  Phase 1, Session 1 - Participants will attend an appointment for movement and strength test + Participant reported outcome measures
  Phase 1, Session 2 - Participants will attend an appointment for the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test + Participant reported outcome measures
  Phase 2 - Focus group discussions with participants about experiences

  We will measure how much participants can move their wrist, their grip and pinch strength, and pain levels during everyday activities - both with and without wearing the splint.

  This research is funded by an Impact Accelerator Account, TayHealthTech on behalf of UKRI-EPSRC. The results could lead to better and more appropriate treatment options, reduce waste, and improved quality of life for people with wrist and hand conditions.

  The device is comparable to commonly used WHOs in routine care and does not introduce additional clinical risk. It is being assessed in a research context without influencing clinical management, and therefore does not require approval by the MHRA as highlighted by their Flow chart.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 4

• REC reference

  26/WS/0075

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Jun 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion