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Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Video Movement Analysis Using Smartphones ViMAS: A Pilot Study
Published on: March 14, 2017
A smartphone application to facilitate adherence to home-based exercise after flexor tendon repair: A randomised
Jonas Svingen1,2, Jenny Rosengren2, Christina Turesson3,4
1Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
Objective:
Evaluate the effect of a smartphone application on exercise adherence, range of motion and self-efficacy compared to standard rehabilitation after repair of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon.
Design:
Prospective multi-centre randomised controlled trial.
Setting:
Four hand surgery departments in Sweden.
Subjects:
A total of 101 patients (35 women) (mean age 37.5 ± 12.8) were randomised to control (n = 49) or intervention group (n = 52).
Intervention:
A smartphone application to facilitate rehabilitation.
Main Outcome Measures:
Adherence assessed with the Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale at two and six weeks (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were self-reported adherence in three domains assessed at two and six weeks, self-efficacy assessed with Athlete Injury Self-Efficacy Questionnaire at baseline, two and six weeks. Range of motion and perceived satisfaction with rehabilitation and information were assessed at 12 weeks.
Results:
Twenty-five patients were lost to follow-up. There was no significant between group difference in Sport Injury Rehabilitation Adherence Scale at two or six weeks, mean scores (confidence interval, CI 95%) 12.5 (CI 11.8-13.3), 11.8 (CI 11.0-12.8) for the intervention group, and 13.3 (CI 12.6-14.0), 12.8 (CI 12.0-13.7) for the control group. Self-reported adherence for exercise frequency at six weeks was significantly better for the intervention group, 93.2 (CI 86.9-99.5) compared to the controls 82.9 (CI 76.9-88.8) (P = 0.02). There were no differences in range of motion, self-efficacy or satisfaction.
Conclusion:
The smartphone application used in this study did not improve adherence, self-efficacy or range of motion compared to standard rehabilitation for flexor tendon injuries. Further research regarding smartphone applications is needed.
Level Of Evidence:
I. Randomised controlled trial.
