The Effects of Technology-Based Rehabilitation in Rheumatic Diseases with Hand Involvement: A Single Blind Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Rheumatology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Rheumatic diseases frequently involve hand structures, leading to impaired grip strength and function.
• Conventional hand rehabilitation methods may have limitations in patient engagement and adherence.
• Technology-based interventions offer novel approaches to enhance rehabilitation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation with a leap motion controller (LMC) on grip strength, hand function, and disease activity in patients with rheumatic hand involvement.
• To compare VR-based rehabilitation with conventional hand exercises and a control group.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 45 patients with rheumatic hand disease.
• Intervention group: VR with LMC (twice weekly for 8 weeks).
• Conventional group: Stretching and strengthening exercises (twice weekly for 8 weeks).
• Control group: Routine life activities.
• Outcome measures included grip strength, hand function tests (Jebsen, 9-hole peg), and disease activity scores.

Main Results:

• The VR-LMC group showed significant improvements in the Jebsen Hand Function test, 9-hole peg test, and grip strength compared to the other groups (P < 0.05).
• No significant differences were reported for disease activity scores in this study.
• The technology-based approach demonstrated superior outcomes in specific functional measures.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality rehabilitation utilizing a leap motion controller, under physiotherapist guidance, positively impacts grip strength and hand function in rheumatic disease patients.
• Future strategies should focus on maintaining patient motivation to sustain and enhance rehabilitation effects.
• VR-LMC presents a promising adjunct to conventional therapy for improving hand function in rheumatology.