Hand Therapy最新文献

Introduction: The objective of this study is to undertake a comparative analysis of the values obtained from the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test (SWMT) when conducted with the eyes open, eyes closed, and in a noisy environment, in a sample of healthy individuals.

Methods: The SWMT was applied to 70 healthy individuals with a mean age of 29.0 ± 10.51 years under three conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, and in a noisy environment. The first, second, and fifth fingertips of the subjects were evaluated, with the dominant and non-dominant hands being considered separately. The evaluations conducted with the eyes open and eyes closed were carried out in a quiet environment. The evaluation conducted with the individual's eyes open was performed with a screen. In the test conducted in a noisy environment, the participants' eyes were kept open.

Results: The median SWMT values were #2.83 for all tested distal phalanx palmar surfaces in both dominant and non-dominant hands. It was determined that the tests performed with eyes closed on the thumb of the dominant hand gave better results than the tests performed with eyes open (p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were detected between noisy and quiet testing conditions across the tested sites.

Discussion: Visual deprivation can enhance tactile detection in healthy individuals. We highlight the significance of visual input in tactile assessments and propose that visual manipulation may serve as a promising approach in somatosensory re-education.

Aim: The ability of advanced practice allied health-led clinics to comprehensively manage acute upper limb trauma has limited evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, requirement for specialist escalation, patient satisfaction, and patient outcomes of an allied health-led upper limb fracture clinic.

Methods: Eligible outpatients referred to Orthopaedics with acute upper limb fractures were diverted to and managed by the allied health led Advanced Practice Hand Clinic (APHC) between August 2020 and August 2022. Patients were excluded if they did not complete treatment, were referred with chronic conditions, or simple fractures not requiring specialist care. Demographic, diagnostic, service delivery, patient satisfaction and clinical outcome data were collected as part of usual care. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results: Three hundred and twelve patients were eligible, aged median (IQR) 23 (13-47) years, 38% female, and 28% were clinical scaphoid fractures. Wait time for care was 7 (4-11) days. No adverse events were noted. Most (n = 289, 93%) patients completed APHC treatment, with most (88%, 254/289) not requiring orthopaedic consultation. Few (7%, 23/312) patients were returned for orthopaedic management. QuickDASH scores were significantly improved at discharge (4.6 (0-9.1)) compared to initial appointment (48.9 (31.8-57.3), p < 0.001, n = 72). Most patients (98%-100%) were satisfied with wait times, seeing a hand therapist, and with their treatment received.

Conclusion: The APHC safely managed patients with acute upper limb trauma in lieu of Fracture Clinic, reduced reliance on Orthopaedic services, provided good functional outcomes and achieved high levels of patient satisfaction.

Background: Hand injuries can significantly impair individuals' ability to engage in essential daily and social activities, necessitating valid and culturally relevant tools to assess participation limitations. The Participation Behaviour Questionnaire (PBQ), originally developed in Persian and grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), was designed to evaluate the extent of participation restrictions following hand and upper limb injuries.

Purpose: This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the PBQ for use among Canadian English-speaking individuals with hand injuries and assess its content validity within a Canadian clinical context.

Methods: The PBQ was adapted according to Beaton's five-step guideline for the cross-cultural translation of self-report measures. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 15 patients and 22 healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, hand therapists, surgeons, and rehabilitation researchers, using think-aloud and semi-structured methods to examine item clarity, consistency of interpretation, and cultural appropriateness.

Findings: Cognitive interviews with 15 patients and 22 experts revealed 25 items requiring revision, with 88% of concerns related to clarity and comprehension. Overall, clarity issues were identified in 22 of the 37 items, resulting in 18 substantive revisions. For example, the item "I feel I have lost my autonomy" was revised to "I feel I have lost my independence in daily tasks" to improve clarity. Commonly misunderstood terms included "public transport" and "voluntary job," which were refined using culturally contextual examples. Cultural and contextual factors also influenced how participants interpreted items such as "My use of public transport" (12%) and "Engagement in voluntary work" (20%).

Implications: The English-adapted PBQ demonstrated evidence of content validity based on participant feedback regarding clarity, relevance, and comprehensibility. The 18 substantive revisions enhanced cultural and linguistic appropriateness by addressing clarity in 22 of 37 items, refining ambiguous terminology, and incorporating Canadian-contextual examples where necessary. These findings represent an initial step in the overall validation process; in this pre-psychometric, single-center Canadian-English study, additional research is required to assess the instrument's psychometric properties, including construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

Introduction: Handedness and hemispheric dominance are thought to influence manual performance, especially dexterity and grip strength, which underpin daily and occupational function. We investigated the effects of handedness and hemispheric dominance (inferred from a neurobehavioral inventory) on dexterity and grip strength, focusing on whether balanced hemispheric dominance confers advantages in mixed-handed/ambidextrous individuals.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 182 adults (aged 19-50 years) who completed the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory to identify hand dominance and a neurobehavioral inventory to assess hemispheric dominance. Grip strength was measured using Constant 14,192-709E and Saehan Pinch Gauge SH5005, while dexterity was evaluated with the Purdue Pegboard Test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16, with significance set at P < 0.05.

Results: Right-handed participants exhibited significantly higher dexterity in the right hand (P < 0.001), while left-handed individuals showed greater grip strength in both hands, with marginal significance in the right hand (P = 0.046). Mixed-handed/ambidextrous individuals showed significantly higher assembly dexterity scores (P < 0.001). Interhemispheric balance was marginally associated with improved assembly dexterity (P = 0.05), suggesting its role in enhancing motor coordination.

Conclusion: Hand dominance and hemispheric dominance significantly influence motor performance. Balanced hemispheric function in mixed-handed/ambidextrous individuals enhances complex coordination tasks, highlighting potential benefits for rehabilitation strategies. Future research should explore these relationships using neuroimaging techniques and include a broader demographic range to further investigate underlying neural mechanisms.

Introduction: The radial artery forearm flap (RAFF) is a versatile free tissue transfer used for many clinical presentations. RAFF donor sites typically require a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) for closure. Whilst early rehabilitation of RAFF donor site(s) following STSG commonly involves wrist immobilisation, best practice for this immobilisation procedure remains unknown.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to systematically 'map' wrist immobilisation methods post-STSG of the RAFF wound and explore the impact of immobilisation methods on donor site morbidity.

Methods: A scoping review was completed. Literature searching was conducted from database inception to February 1, 2024 in PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science. Title/abstract screening was conducted by one researcher, full text screening was conducted by two researchers independently. Data extraction included number of participants, participant age and gender, wrist immobilisation details and reported donor site complications. Critical appraisal of articles was not completed.

Results: Thirty-seven studies were included in the review. Thermoplastic orthoses (TPO) or 'splinting' (n = 22) and plaster casts (n = 8) were the most frequent immobilisation methods reported with 7 days (n = 15) the most frequent immobilisation period. Detail regarding type of TPO material and location/design of the splint/cast was limited. Frequent donor site morbidities included graft complications (n = 18), changes in sensation (n = 9) and infection (n = 7).

Conclusion: Best practice wrist immobilisation procedure for RAFF donor site following STSG cannot be concluded at this time. Additional prospective research is recommended to evaluate the association between wrist immobilisation and donor site morbidity for this complex procedure.

İntroduction: In hand injuries involving thumb impairment, rehabilitation must be conducted meticulously as it is essential for restoring hand function and facilitating return to daily life and work. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of prescribing mobile games as home exercises on recovery outcomes in patients with thumb involvement due to thumb injuries and/or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Method: This randomized controlled trial included 31 patients who were randomly assigned to either the routine rehabilitation (RR) group or the mobile game (MG) group. The primary outcome measure was functional status, assessed using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included hand function evaluated with the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), activity-related pain assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM) measured with a goniometer, edema assessed with a tape measure, and adherence to home exercises monitored using a home exercise tracking form.

Results: In both groups, statistically significant improvements were observed in all parameters after treatment compared to baseline (p < 0.05); however, no differences were found in the primary outcome measure (p > 0.05). In the between-group comparison, a significant difference in favor of the MG group was observed only for total active motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint and adherence to home exercises (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Mobile game-assisted home exercises appear feasible for patients with thumb involvement. While MCP joint motion improved significantly, no differences were found in pain or function. Further research is needed to confirm clinical relevance.

Introduction: There is a lack of studies on the optimal duration and carry-over effect of superficial heat treatment to increase joint range of motion.This study aims to determine the optimal treatment duration of Fluidotherapy® and Hot Pack in improving wrist and finger active range of motion (AROM) and investigate possible carry-over effects.

Methods: The study used a single-site, multi-arm quasi-experimental design. Participants aged 21-80 years with distal radius fracture or fracture and/or soft tissue injuries involving the finger or thumb were assigned consecutively to one of six groups of 10, 15 or 20 min Fluidotherapy® or Hot Pack treatment.All participants had goniometric assessment of their wrist or finger joint AROM adjacent to the injury site and were asked to rate the joint flexibility: (i) prior to treatment; (ii) immediately after treatment; and (iii) after 20 min of AROM mobilisation post-heat treatment. Subjects were asked to rate their joint flexibility again 2 h after the study visit, via telephone. Results were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test of association with significance P < 0.05.

Results: Participants who had 10 and 20 min Fluidotherapy® and 10 and 15 min Hot Pack treatment showed significant wrist flexion and extension AROM increase immediately after treatment. Participants who had 15 and 20 min Fluidotherapy®, and 15 and 20 min Hot Pack treatment showed further increase in wrist AROM after 20 min of mobilization. Participants with finger injuries in all the treatment groups showed no significant changes in MCPJ or PIPJ AROM immediately and 20 min after treatment.Participants in all treatment groups reported significantly increased wrist flexibility while participants who had 15 min Fluidotherapy® and 20 min Hot pack reported significantly increased MCPJ or PIPJ flexibility, compared to baseline, immediately, 20 min and 2 h after treatment.

Discussion: Although there were significant improvements in wrist extension and flexion AROM after 10 or 20 min of Fluidotherapy® and after 10 or 15 min of Hot Pack application, the improvement may not be considered clinically significant. Participants report of significantly improved wrist flexibility in all treatment groups and increased MCPJ and DIPJ flexibility in 2 groups immediately, 20 min, and 2 h after treatments demonstrated the potential of these 2 modalities as pain management adjuncts for pre-conditioning prior to mobilisation.

Background: Tendon adhesions after hand surgery can severely impair motion and function. Although early mobilization is preferred, re-ruptures or complex trauma cases often require immobilization, increasing the risk of adhesion.

Purpose: This report presents two cases-one involving flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon re-rupture and another with multiple extensor tendon injuries-treated with a novel flossing intervention aimed at improving tendon gliding and soft tissue flexibility.

Methods: In both cases, flossing therapy using a rubber compression band was introduced at 8 weeks postoperatively, following standard immobilization and rehabilitation protocols. Patients performed flossing exercises daily under supervised and home-based conditions.

Results: The FPL case showed an improvement in %TAM from 20.8% to 83.3%, and the extensor tendon case improved from 42.9%-50% to 96.4%-98.4% over 16 weeks. Both patients regained functional range of motion and returned to work without requiring tenolysis. Importantly, these improvements occurred when flossing was paired with active range of motion (AROM) exercises, rather than by flossing alone.

Conclusions: Flossing, particularly when combined with active range of motion (AROM) exercises, may be a useful adjunct to conventional therapy for managing severe adhesions after tendon repair. These case reports suggest that improvements were likely achieved through the combined effect of flossing and conventional active exercises, rather than flossing alone. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal parameters and generalizability of this technique.

Introduction: Access to hand therapy is a challenge in low to middle-income countries but is also restricted for many communities in high-income countries. As an essential part of the global rehabilitation community, hand therapists must consider how to extend access to basic hand therapy services and strengthen the capacity of the therapists who provide these services. This study aimed to identify capacity-strengthening strategies for generalist occupational therapists responsible for delivering hand therapy in the South African public health service.

Methods: A consensus development methodology was employed. A hybrid consensus development conference was used to gather local and international evidence pertinent to the project's aim. A panel representing service users (n = 2), service providers (n = 5), research (n = 1), education (n = 1) and professional organisations (n = 5) systematically considered the evidence presented at the conference using a nominal group technique.

Results: The panel identified ten priority areas for action: supervision and support; resources; policy, leadership and governance; education and training; professional knowledge and skill; effective referral and care pathways; data and evidence for service improvement; professional attitudes, behaviours and dispositions; inter- and intra-disciplinary action and cohesion; and an intersectoral systems approach.

Discussion: The priority areas were categorized and are discussed as strategic, educational, organizational, and operational priorities for strengthening the capacity of generalist occupational therapists to deliver quality hand therapy. We suggest ways that both local and global hand therapy communities can take action to position hand therapy as an essential part of universal health coverage.

Introduction: Limited research exists on the post-operative treatment of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) repair (tendon transfer and direct repair). Early active motion (EAM) and dynamic extension splinting (DES) are becoming more common compared to static casting. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether EAM was superior to DES post EPL direct repair or tendon transfer. Outcomes of interest included range of motion, strength, and adverse events.

Methods: A systematic search of AMED, EBSCO health database (CINAHL, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus), and Scopus was completed. Randomised control trials or cohort studies were included if they followed either an EAM or DES rehabilitation protocol and assessed total active motion, grip strength, pinch strength, or range of motion post EPL surgical repairs. Data extracted included the surgical procedure, rehabilitation protocols, and results. The Downs and Black checklist for clinical trial quality assessment was utilised to assess the methodological quality.

Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Five studies included DES and two studies included EAM. Both interventions resulted in improvements in ROM, grip strength and pinch strength with neither intervention being superior. There was no increase in adverse outcomes by using EAM or DES. The risk of bias following assessment of methodological quality of included studies ranged from good to poor.

Discussion: The use of EAM should be considered post EPL repair or tendon transfer. EAM does not result in superior outcomes post EPL repair compared to DES, equally EAM does not appear to be inferior compared to DES.