Unilateral hand training on functional performance in patients with upper extremity trauma

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Occupational Therapy
• Traumatology

Background:

• Upper extremity (UE) trauma and subsequent immobilization significantly impair functional performance.
• Understanding the impact of immobilization on daily activities is crucial for effective rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the utility and feasibility of unilateral hand training (UHT) for enhancing functional performance in patients recovering from UE trauma.
• To explore patient-reported outcomes and experiences with early UHT.

Main Methods:

• A case series design involving nine participants with UE trauma who underwent UHT within 10 days of immobilization.
• Measurements included functional performance (Jebsen-Taylor hand function test), dexterity, grip, and pinch strength at baseline and 4 weeks.
• Qualitative interviews were conducted to gather thematic data on patient experiences.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed across all Jebsen-Taylor hand function test subtests and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores.
• Participants with dominant UE injury experienced more significant functional impairments.
• Four key themes emerged: altered/avoided activities, increased dependency, prolonged activity duration, and perceived benefit of UHT.

Conclusions:

• Unilateral hand training (UHT) is a feasible and useful intervention for improving functional performance following upper extremity (UE) trauma.
• Early UHT can help mitigate the impact of immobilization, enhance immediate activities of daily living, and potentially prevent long-term deficits.