Urias® Johnstone Air Splints
Urias® Johnstone Air Splints and the PANat Approach
Urias® Johnstone air splints were originally developed by Margaret Johnstone to support neurorehabilitation in individuals with neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis.
Available in a range of sizes and configurations for the upper and lower limbs, air splints can be used with both adults and children. They are applied within clinical practice as well as during self-directed practice.
Clinical Application within PANat
Urias® Johnstone air splints support key principles of the PANat approach by:
- providing biomechanical stability during task-specific practice
- increasing afferent input and body awareness
- supporting behavioural neuroplasticity through repeated active practice
- enabling graded progression of functional activities
- promoting self-directed practice and participation
Watch Urias® Johnstone Air Splints in Practice
Watch PANat Video Tutorials and explore practical applications.
Seated Bilateral foot movement training . PANat Sliding boards with boot air splint train heel-strike and toe-off patterns with external fokus. PANat-Finger-wrist plate maintains hand contact for sensory feedback.Training progresses through speed, symmetry, and dual-task variations.
Clinical Use and Safety
Indications
Urias® Johnstone air splints may be used to support practice and functional activities in individuals with:
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hemiparesis following stroke
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traumatic brain injury
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spinal cord injury
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other neurological conditions affecting movement and postural control
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selected orthopaedic conditions where additional biomechanical support is appropriate
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Children with neurological conditions
Within the PANat approach, they are also used proactively to help reduce the risk of secondary complications associated with reduced movement, including oedema, soft tissue shortening and learned non-use.
Contraindications
Urias® Johnstone air splints should not be used in the presence of:
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suspected or confirmed deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
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acute phlebitis of the treated limb
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acute pulmonary oedema
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uncontrolled right-sided heart failure
Clinical judgement should always be applied, taking into account the individual’s medical status and tolerance.
Clinical Considerations
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Inflate the air splint to a light pressure (typically not exceeding 40 mm Hg).
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Select the appropriate size and chamber configuration according to the limb, therapeutic objective and required level of biomechanical support.
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Adapt the duration of use to the individual’s tolerance and the planned practice activity.
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Monitor skin integrity, circulation, comfort and overall response throughout application.
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Integrate the air splint into meaningful, task-specific practice and self-directed activities whenever appropriate.
Self-directed reaching at varied angles using elbow air splint and double-grip trainer
Therapeutic Functions and Clinical Application
Physiological Alignment and Stabilisation
Urias® Johnstone air splints provide external support to the hemiparetic limb when inflated to a light pressure (usually 30–40 mm Hg). Air splints provide circumferential compression and biomechanical support that influence muscle activity during functional tasks. By improving joint alignment and increasing afferent input, they can help create conditions that enable more selective movement and reduce reliance on compensatory movement strategies. by reducing excessive degrees of freedom.
By reducing the number of movement variables that need to be controlled simultaneously, air splints enable individuals to engage more actively in task-specific practice.
This creates conditions that support movement exploration while reducing reliance on compensatory movement strategies. This support active engagement of the hemiparetic side, supporting behavioural neuroplasticity and reducing learned non-use.
Reduction of Unwanted Muscle Activity
For individuals presenting with spasticity or increased muscle activity associated with Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome (UMNS), the air splints support active participation in task-specific practice by improving comfort, stability and opportunities for movement. Within the PANat approach, the emphasis is not on reducing muscle tone itself, but on enabling functional skill acquisition and meaningful participation through active practice.
Sensory input and bodyawareness
The air splints provide continuous tactile and proprioceptive input through gentle, evenly distributed pressure around the limb.
This additional afferent input may enhance body awareness, support perception of the hemiparetic side and contribute to improved postural organisation during functional activities.
Integration into Structured and Self-Directed Training
Within the PANat approach, air splints are used both in clinical settings and during self-directed practice at home or in group-based training.
Used alone or in combination with PANat-Laptool, air splints provide increased opportunities for meaningful repetition and participation in functional activities across different stages of recovery. By enabling successful movement experiences and greater independence in practice, they can also support the development of self-efficacy, confidence and sustained engagement in rehabilitation.
Leg air splint enables weight-bearing while PANat sliding board with finger-wrist plate guides dynamic reaching to external fokus. Structured setup ensures success.
Where to buy Urias® Johnstone Air Splints?
Arden Medical Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, is the long-standing manufacturer and international distributor of Urias® Johnstone air splints. Arden Medical works with an international network of distributors, supporting their use in contemporary neurorehabilitation approaches, including PANat.
Where to buy Urias® Johnstone Air Splints Czech Republic and Eastern Europe:
PANat Dlahy is a Czech supplier specialising in Urias® Johnstone air splints and related educational resources for neurological rehabilitation. The company offers practical guidance, video tutorials and training opportunities to support therapists, patients and families in incorporating the splints into everyday practice. Through its focus on education and accessibility, PANat Dlahy contributes to the wider dissemination and clinical use of Urias® Johnstone air splints in the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries.