Reference Study design Subjects Intervention Evaluation Results Number of subjects Mean age Type Frequency Duration Outcome measures Measurement schedule Ring et al. 2005 [22 ] Nonrandomized control trail Rx group: 23; C group: 19 39 (18–71) Rx: hinged external fixation, active-assisted exercise; C: hinged external fixation (4–8 wks), active-assisted exercise; flexion and extension Rx and C: 6 wks (4–8 wks) ROM Baseline, average of 39 mos Between groups: ROM improvement with no significant difference ( Parent-Weiss and King 2006 [26 ] Pre-post intervention trial 28 41.2 (23–64) Static progressive orthosis, supination and pronation 3-4 hs/time, removed 3 times for 1-2 hs each day; point of strong stretching sensation 12–24 wks ROM (goniometer) Baseline, end of Rx Within group: supination and pronation ROM ↑ Doornberg et al. 2006 [25 ] Pre-post intervention trial 29 38 Static progressive splinting, flexion and extension 30 mins/each direction, 3 times/day 4 mos (1–9 mos) ROM (goniometer) Baseline, average of 11 mos Within group: ROM ↑ ( McGrath et al. 2009 [27 ] Pre-post intervention trial 38 44 (20–77) Static progressive splinting, supination and pronation 30 mins/each direction/day; gradually progress to 3 sessions/day/each direction; pain-free, gentle stretch 12 wks (4–8 wks) ROM; Likert scale (satisfaction) Baseline, end of Rx Within group: supination and pronation ROM ↑, the mean satisfaction score: 8.1 points Bhat et al. 2010 [9 ] Pre-post intervention trial 28 32 (8–68) Turnbuckle orthosis, multiple directions; exercise 15 hs/daytime, removed 3 times for 1 h exercise; point of discomfort with no pain 5 mos ROM (goniometer) Baseline, end of Rx, average of 29 mos (follow-up) Within group: flexion and extension group ROM ↑, rotation no effect Ulrich et al. 2010 [15 ] Pre-post intervention trial 37 45 Joint Active Systems (JAS); flexion and extension, when both required, larger deficit first 30 mins, then rest 15–30 mins, the other direction 1st wk, 1 session/day, 30 mins/session, increase the stretch to tolerance every 5 mins; 2nd wk, 2 sessions/day, then 3 sessions/day 10 wks (2–23 wks) ROM (goniometer); 11-point ordinal Likert scale; analgesic use Baseline, twice a week, until no ROM gains for 2 wks Within group: ROM in flexion and extension ↑; 94% patients have satisfaction index scores; no patients require medication or an increase in the dosage Marinelli et al. 2010 [12 ] Pre-post intervention trial 42 Group A: ≥18 Groups A & B: mobilization brace; self-assisted movement; extension direction; group C: mobilization brace; self-assisted movement; CPM Group A: night + removed 4 times/day for 1 h for exercise; after 4–6 wks, 4 times/day, 1 h/time + night; group B: same; group C: night + 5 times/day, 1 h/time, alternating flexion and extension Group A: 3.5 mos; Group B: 3 mos; group C: 2 mos ROM (goniometer) Baseline, at least 6 mo follow-up Within group: 3 groups ROM ↑ R. Suksathien and Y. Suksathien 2010 [24 ] Pre-post intervention trial 3 17 Splint + motion exercise; extension direction 20 hs/day + night + every 1-2 hs was taken off for exercise daytime; adjust to the point of discomfort, but no pain 14 wks (11–20 wks) ROM (goniometer) Baseline, 14 wks (end of Rx) Within group: ROM ↑ Liu et al. 2011 [28 ] Pre-post intervention trial 14 41 (16–77) Custom-made progressive stretching, flexion and extension; ROM exercise 7 days ROM (goniometer); Mayo Elbow Performance score (MEPS) Baseline, average of 14 mos (follow-up) Within group: flexion and extension ROM ↑, mean MEPS score 92 Lindenhovius et al. 2012 [21 ] Randomized control trial Rx group: 35; C group: 31 ≥18 Rx: static progressive splint; C: dynamic splint, multiple directions 3 times/day and 30 mins/time; 6–8 hs/day or night Until no gains in AROM achieved in a thirty-day period ROM (goniometer); Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Baseline,3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos; 12 mos; baseline, 6 mos, 9 mos, 12 mos Both ROM and DASH ↑; between groups: ROM at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 mos has no significant difference (
