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J Wrist Surg 2023; 12(05): 460-473
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769925
Survey or Meta-Analysis

Rehabilitation after Distal Radius Fractures: Opportunities for Improvement

Henriëtte A.W. Meijer 
1   Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
5   Amsterdam Public Health, Digital Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6   Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Miryam C. Obdeijn 
2   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6   Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Justin van Loon
3   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6   Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Stein B.M. van den Heuvel
1   Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Lianne C. van den Brink
1   Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Marlies P. Schijven 
1   Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
5   Amsterdam Public Health, Digital Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
7   Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
J. Carel Goslings 
4   Department of Trauma Surgery, OLVG Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Tim Schepers 
1   Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6   Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations Funding This research was performed at the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Abstract

Background Exercises are frequently prescribed to regain function; yet there is no consensus on a standardized protocol, and adherence is low. Smart technology innovations, such as mobile applications, may be useful to provide home-based patient support in rehabilitation after distal radius fractures.

Purposes Our purpose was to establish the potential of digital innovations for support and monitoring of patients and treatment adherence in rehabilitation programs, and additionally, to compare the current practice among physiotherapists to the various wrist exercise regimens and their effectiveness as described in the literature.

Methods Standard practice, including the use of support tools for treatment adherence, was evaluated using a nationwide survey. Then, scientific databases were searched using “distal radius fracture” and “physiotherapy” or “exercise therapy,” and related search terms, up until 23 March 2023. Results of the survey and literature review were compared.

Results The survey was completed by 92 therapists. Nonstandardized support tools were used by 81.6% of respondents; 53.2% used some form of technology, including taking photos on the patients' smartphone for home reference. In the literature review, 23 studies were included, of which five described an exercise protocol. Treatment adherence was not reported in any of the included studies. Two studies described the use of smart technology or support tools.

Conclusions There is no consensus on a standardized exercise protocol for rehabilitation after distal radius fractures, neither from a systematic literature search nor from a nationwide survey. Smart technology may facilitate monitoring of patients and exercise adherence, hereby supporting self-efficacy and improving adherence and outcomes.

Keywords

wrist fractures - exercise therapy - treatment adherence - gamification - self-efficacy

Ethical Review

Ethical review is not applicable for this study, as this is a systematic literature research study, and a voluntary survey study among health care professionals.


No human/patient subjects were involved in any way and presented cases were fictional.




Publication History

Received: 04 May 2020

Accepted: 09 May 2023

Article published online:
05 July 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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