Search

Despite advances in hand therapy and surgery, functional deficits persist after flexor tendon repair especially in zone I–III. This suggests that methods applied may be insufficient. Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback may provide an effective tendon gliding through visual and auditory feedback. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of EMG biofeedback training applied in addition to early passive motion protocol on functional status in zone I–III flexor tendon injuries. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups, each consisted of 11 patients. In addition to early passive motion method, EMG biofeedback training was applied in the first group. The second group was followed only with early passive motion protocol. Joint range of motion (ROM), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and grip strength were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the ROM, MHQ scores and grip strength (p ≥.087). However, there were clinically important differences in the results of the 12th week ROM (effect size = 0.70), 24th week activity of daily living (ADL) score in MHQ (effect size = 0.68), 12th week gross, tip pinch and lateral grip strength (effect sizes = 0.59, 0.52, 0.81, respectively) and 24th week gross, tip pinch and lateral grip strength (effect sizes = 0.69, 0.73, 0.69, respectively) between the two groups. EMG biofeedback training was clinically but not statistically superior to early passive motion method in terms of the effect on functional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this prospective, randomised, controlled trail was to compare two methods of rehabilitating extensor tendon repairs in zones V-VII. Patients who incurred simple and complete lacerations of their extensor tendons in zones V-VII enrolled into the study and underwent either static splinting ( n = 25) or dynamic splinting ( n = 27) after primary acute repair of tendons. Extension lag, flexion deficit, total active motion (TAM), grip strength, and functional status of upper extremities were measured. TAM was improved in the dynamic group when compared with the static group in the injured digits at 4 weeks ( p = 0.001), at 12 weeks ( p = 0.05), and at 6 months ( p = 0.001). Grip strength outcomes demonstrated improved grip force for the dynamic group when compared with the static group at 12 weeks ( p = 0.001). There were no ruptures in either group. Also, a better functional level was found in the dynamic splinting group at 6 months ( p = 0.001). The findings of the current study suggest that dynamic splinting of complex lacerations of the extensor tendons in zones V-VII provides improved functional outcomes at 4 and 12 weeks and 6 months when compared with static splinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fear of movement in patients with traumatic hand–arm injuries can negatively affect functional outcomes. Therefore, it is important to evaluate fear of movement in this patient population. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia in patients with traumatic hand–forearm injuries.Cross-sectional.Hand rehabilitation unit in a university hospital.The study included 170 patients with traumatic hand–arm injuries and a mean age of 37.57 (11.85) years.Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory and pain severity rating (via Visual Analog Scale) were completed by interview in the first session. In addition, Modified Hand Injury Scoring System was used to determine severity of the injury. Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia was re-administered 15 days after the first session. Test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were evaluated. In addition, exploratory factor analysis was completed using baseline data.Cronbach's alpha for the scale was 0.604, and test–retest reliability was acceptable (ICC = 0.646). Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia had a significant relationship with Beck Anxiety Inventory (r = 0.269, p < 0.001), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (r = 0.457, p < 0.001) and pain severity at rest (r = 0.168, p = 0.029). Factor analysis estimated the scale represented five subsections in this population.Psychometric properties of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were acceptable in patients with hand–forearm injuries. However, since our results were weaker than those in the literature, this should be considered when interpreting the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]