Urias® Johnstone Air Splints
Urias® Johnstone Air Splints and PANat approach
Urias® Johnstone Air Splints are therapeutic inflatable devices originally developed by Margaret Johnstone for the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological impairments such as stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis.
Within the PANat approach they serve as key tools to create the optimal biomechanical and sensory conditions for active, controlled, and functional movement on the affected side of the body.
Their primary function is to enable active participation and movement, even when voluntary control is minimal.
The Urias® Johnstone Air splints are available in various shapes and sizes (for arms, legs, hands, and feet) for both adult and children. They can be used both in therapist-guided sessions and self-directed training.
Therapeutic Rationale within PANat
The Urias® Johnstone Air Splints embody PANat’s theoretical and clinical principles by:
- Supporting restorative activation of the paretic limb.
- Creating optimal sensorimotor conditions for motor learning.
- Promoting safe, structured, and self-directed engagement.
- Enhancing motivation and participation through visible success and independence.
Together, they enable patients to use their affected side actively, develop controlled functional movement, and transfer new abilities into daily life — the essence of PANat’s proactive approach to neurorehabilitation
Caption: 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: Hemiparesis, paresis after stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological or ortopedic disorders; prevention of secondary complications (e.g. contractures, swelling, disuse).
- Contraindications: Suspected deep vein thrombosis or acute phlebitis in the treated limb, right-sided heart failure, or acute pulmonary oedema.
- Usage:
- Inflate to a light pressure (maximum ~40 mm Hg).
- Apply for a limited duration according to patient tolerance and therapeutic goals.
- Always monitor skin integrity, circulation, and comfort during use.
- Select size and chamber type (single or double) according to limb, goal, and required stability.
Caption: Stepwise facilitation of arm flexion using a Urias Johnstone elbow air splint to promote elbow extension, combined with patient self-guided training using the Double Grip Trainer
Therapeutic Functions and Mechanisms
Physiological Alignment and Stabilisation
Urias® Johnstone Air Splints provide external stability and biomechanical alignment to the affected limb by reducing excessive degrees of freedom.
When inflated to a light pressure (usually 30–40 mm Hg), the Urias® Johnstone Air Splints supports proper limb positioning, counteracts gravity, and creates the mechanical conditions for controlled joint movement.
This enables the therapist to facilitate task-specific, functional activity without provoking compensatory movements or overuse of the non-affected side.
Reduction of Unwanted Muscle Activity
The gentle, evenly distributed pressure of the Urias® Johnstone Air Splints has a modulating effect on spasticity and tremor.
It helps relax hypertonic muscles, reduces resistance to passive movement, and can help reduce the risk of contractures.
By improving muscle compliance and tissue extensibility, Urias® Johnstone Air Splints support both preparation for active exercise and maintenance of musculoskeletal integrity.
Sensory and Perceptual Activation
The Urias® Johnstone Air Splints provides enhanced proprioceptive and tactile feedback through constant contact and rhythmic pressure fluctuations during movement.
This sensory input supports reafferentation — the process by which the brain re-establishes awareness and control of the affected limb.
It also contributes to improved postural control, limb perception, and body awareness, all essential for motor relearning.
Facilitating Early and Safe Activation
One of the strengths of the PANat approach is early activation — initiating movement as soon as possible after neurological injury.
Urias® Johnstone Air Splints make it possible to train even minimal or non-visible muscle activity in a safe and supported environment, promoting early cortical stimulation and reducing the risk of “learned non-use.”
This proactive engagement of the paretic limb supports neuroplastic recovery from the very beginning of rehabilitation.
Integration into Structured and Self-Directed Training
In the PANat framework, Urias® Johnstone Air Splints are used not only in clinical settings but also as part of structured home or group programs.
Alone or when combined with PANat Laptools®, they allow for more independent “hands-off” practice that maintains alignment and safety while promoting active movement and self-efficacy.
Caption: Leg air splint enables weight-bearing while PANat sliding board with finger-wrist plate guides dynamic reaching to external fokus. Structured setup ensures success.
Links:
Where to buy Urias® Johnstone Air Splints?
Arden Medical Ltd. – Manufacturers and Distributors of Urias and Pilar Air Splints
Distributor and more information in German and Czech: