Is home-based real-time video conferencing telerehabilitation as effective as conventional face-to-face rehabilitation in patients with operated for distal radius fracture? A single-blind, randomized prospective study.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate whether telerehabilitation is as effective as face-to-face rehabilitation in terms of joint range of motion (ROM), edema, and functionality in patients operated for distal radius fractures (DRFs).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Between May 2022 and May 2023, a total of 54 patients (8 males, 46 females; mean age: 56.8±11.6 years; range, 24 to 77 years) who underwent volar plate due to DRF with direct X-ray and computed tomography (CT) were included in this single-blind, randomized study. The patients were randomly divided into the face-to-face rehabilitation group (FFG) and telerehabilitation group (TRG). The same rehabilitation program was applied as face-to-face and Home-Based Real-Time Video Conferencing (HBRVC) telerehabilitation. Demographic data and participation times in rehabilitation sessions were recorded. A perimeter was measured using the Figure of 8 method. The ROM of the joint was measured by goniometry. Hand grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer, and pinch grip was measured with a pinch meter. The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (Quick-DASH) were used to assess functionality.

RESULTS

In the initial evaluation, no statistically significant difference was found between age, smoking, dominant hand, operated hand, sex, and the number of participants in rehabilitation sessions (p>0.05). Comparing the values at Week 12 and Week 2, the change in pinch meter (p=0.007) and hand grip (p=0.030) values was higher in FFG than TRG. The Quick-DASH change (p<0.001) and PRWE change (p=0.001) values were statistically significantly lower in TRG than in FFG.

CONCLUSION

The HBRVC telerehabilitation program seems to be as effective as face-to-face rehabilitation on joint ROM and edema in patients undergoing volar plate fixation for DRF. However, the telerehabilitation method on functionality and muscle strength is less effective than face-to-face rehabilitation.