Upper limb orthotic systems and inhibitory casting are biomechanical/motor capacity interventions used by occupational therapists to enhance a person’s ability to apply active or passive reach, grasp and release strategies to perform selected everyday tasks. These interventions are viewed as adjuncts to hands on treatment, and contribute to task performance objectives by supporting or assisting weak muscles, controlling or blocking the effects of overactive muscles, stabilizing unstable joints, and/or positioning the fingers pads for optimum sensory contact with the environment and interaction with objects.

The evidence for practice decisions in this area remains limited and inconclusive. Specific prescription principles, materials selection, fabrication techniques and modification, and an occupational performance reasoning guide for application of these techniques to clients post stroke and traumatic brain injury in typical therapy and undergoing toxin injections, as well as to children with neurological and learning and coordination disorders is taught in continuing professional education courses.