The impact of shoulder pathology on individuals with distal radius fracture.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pathology can occur concurrently with a distal radius fracture (DRF) but few studies have examined this population. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to expand the understanding of the impact of shoulder pathology on individuals with DRF. STUDY DESIGN: Mixed Methods Design. METHODS: A total of 45 participants with a DRF were categorized into a DRF only (n = 29) and shoulder pathology concurrent with DRF (SPCDRF) (n = 16) groups. Quantitative data gathered included demographics, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11, Visual Analog Scale, and Compensatory Mechanism Checklist. Qualitative interviews were performed with 7 participants in the SPCDRF group. Within group correlations were analyzed via the Spearman Rank. The Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups. Qualitative analysis was performed to describe the experience of participants in the SPCDRF group. A mixed methods analysis compared quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Sixteen participants (35.6%) in the sample presented with shoulder pathology; 6 participants (37.5%) presented at initial evaluation due to the fall; 10 participants (62.5%) developed shoulder pathology due to compensation or disuse. Average number of days to develop shoulder pathology after the DRF was 43 days. SPCDRF participants had significantly greater pain levels (p = .02) and more activity avoidance (p = .03) than the DRF only group. Four qualitative themes emerged: It's difficult to perform occupations and changes had to be made; There is fear and uncertainty; The impact of pain; Tried to be normal but could not Mixed methods analysis found that qualitative data further illuminated quantitative findings. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with shoulder pathology concurrent with a DRF may present with higher pain levels and avoid activity more. In addition, they may describe fearfulness in using their injured upper extremity especially if they have high levels of pain. STUDY DESIGN: Mixed Methods Design.

A follow up survey on the impact of COVID-19 on hand therapy practice.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus-19 pandemic continues to influence on the hand therapy community. It is important to understand how therapists are currently affected and how things have changed since the onset of the pandemic. PURPOSE: Follow-up on a previous survey and investigate the current status of hand therapy practice 10 months into the pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Web-based survey. METHODS: A 38-item survey was electronically delivered to American Society of Hand Therapists members between December 9, 2020 and January 6, 2021. Stress, safety measures, changes in practice patterns and telehealth were focus areas in the survey. Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze nonparametric correlations, Chi-Square analysis examined relationships between categorical values and unpaired t-tests were utilized for the comparison of means. RESULTS: Of the 378 respondents, 85% reported higher stress levels compared to pre-pandemic times. Younger therapists expressed more stress over childcare concerns (rs = 0.38;P = .000) and job security (rs = 0.21; P = .000), while older therapists expressed more stress over eldercare concerns (rs= -.13;P = .018). Descriptively, hours spent on direct clinical care were near prepandemic levels. Telehealth is currently used by 29% of respondents and did not correlate to age or years of practice. Postoperative cases (t(423) = 4.18;P = .0001) and people age 50-64-years (t(423) = 3.01;P = .002) were most frequently seen for in person visits. Nontraumatic, nonoperative cases (t(423) = 4.52;P = .0001) as well as those 65 years and older (t(423) = 3.71; P = .0002) were more likely to be seen via telehealth. CONCLUSIONS: Hand therapists are adapting as reflected by the return to near normal work hours and less utilization of telehealth. Respondents still report higher levels of stress compared to prior to the pandemic, and this stress appears to be multifactorial in nature. Weariness with the precautionary measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and sanitizing was expressed through open-ended responses.

The impact of COVID-19 on hand therapy practice.

BACKGROUND: Hand therapists and health care providers across the spectrum have been profoundly impacted by COVID-19. Greater insight and information regarding how practitioners have been affected by this unparalleled pandemic is important. PURPOSE: Survey research was performed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hand therapy practice. STUDY DESIGN: Online survey research. METHODS: Four constructs guided the development of the survey: psychosocial and financial impact; safety practice patterns; changes in current practice patterns; use of telehealth. The survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists from April 14, 2020 through May 4, 2020. Descriptive demographic data were obtained. Frequencies were examined using ChiSquare, correlations were examined using Spearman Correlation Coefficient, and means were compared via independent t-test. RESULTS: A total of 719 members responded to the survey. Eighty-six percent of therapists reported feeling more stress than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This level of stress was similar across ages, practice settings, financial stability or instability, and geographical settings. Older therapists (rs = 0.04) and those that practiced longer (rs = 0.009) felt more comfortable with in-person treatment. Ninety-eight percent of therapists reported a decrease in caseload. Postoperative cases (P= .0001) and patients ages 19-49 were more likely to receive in-person treatment (P= .002). 46% of therapists reported providing telehealth services. Nontraumatic, nonoperative cases (P= .0001) and patients aged 65 or older were more likely to receive telehealth services (P= .0001). Younger therapists (rs = 0.03) and therapists working in outpatient therapist owned, outpatient corporate owned, and outpatient academic medical centers (X2 [4, N = 637] = 15.9463, P= .003) were more likely to utilize telehealth. CONCLUSION: Stress was felt globally among hand therapy clinicians regardless of financial security or insecurity, age, practice area, or geographical setting. Therapists saw a drastic decrease in caseloads. In-person caseloads shifted primarily to postoperative cases. STUDY DESIGN: Web based survey.

Edema assessment and management practice patterns among hand therapists: Survey research.

STUDY DESIGN: Survey research. INTRODUCTION: Recently, the lymphatic system's role in edema management has been reported; however, it is unclear how this evidence has translated into hand therapy practice. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Survey research was performed to explore edema education and management. METHODS: A 22-question survey containing questions related to edema education and practice was administered to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Demographic data were obtained. Frequencies were examined using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 436 members responded to the survey (92% occupational therapists [OTs]; 6% physical therapists [PTs]). Most hand therapists received edema education through on-the-job training and, or continuing education. PTs were more likely to learn the difference between acute, subacute, chronic edema (P < .01; 36% PTs, 17% OTs) and the role of the lymphatic system in edema management (P < .002; 36% PTs, 14% OTs) in entry-level education compared to OTs. OTs with an MS or OTD were more likely to learn the difference between acute, subacute, chronic edema (P < .001; 23% OTD, 24% MS, 10% BS) and the role of the lymphatic system in edema management (P < .004; 19% OTD, 19% MS, 7% BS) in entry-level education than BS-trained OTs. Duration and feel were common ways therapists assessed and identified differences in edema. Many therapists acknowledged the role of the lymphatic system in edema reduction, but responses lacked specificity. CONCLUSION: The survey results suggest most hand therapists learn edema management outside of academic programs, although this may be changing in OT with advancement of the entry-level degree.

Orthotic considerations for dense connective tissue and articular cartilage--the need for optimal movement and stress.

Orthotic intervention is an essential component of hand rehabilitation, addressing biological factors that affect activity and participation. Functional, pain-free joint mobility requires skeletal stability, healthy articular cartilage, and appropriate extensibility of periarticular dense connective tissues (DCTs). This article addresses basic science underlying clinical reasoning when considering orthoses to maintain or restore structural integrity, mobility and function of DCT structures, and articular cartilage. However, these tissues often have different and sometimes conflicting requirements for the maintenance and restoration of integrity and health. The duration of immobilization, especially at end range, should be carefully considered, as it impairs nutrition of tissues and adversely compresses articular cartilage, causing injury that may not be reversible. Immobilization also reduces extensibility of DCT. Thus, an intermittent orthotic wearing schedule is suggested, allowing movement wherever possible to promote tissue health. To optimize benefits and minimize harmful effects of orthotic intervention, further research on physiological responses of human tissues to immobilization and tension is needed.

Graded motor imagery.

New information regarding cortical changes in patients with chronic pain has prompted a reevaluation of the typical "bottom up" treatment for pain, which focuses on peripheral nociceptive stimuli. More recently, increasing considerations for chronic pain are focused from the "top down" cortical central processing perspective. Graded motor imagery (GMI) is one treatment technique from the "top down" paradigm designed to treat chronic pain. This technique attempts to sequentially normalize central processing to remediate chronic pain. This article briefly summarizes the basic components of GMI, targeting complex regional pain in the upper limb, and describes a case where this method was successfully integrated. The initial research and clinical experience is promising and indicates that patients with chronic pain may benefit from using GMI to "retrain the brain."

Changes in edema, pain, or range of motion following manual edema mobilization: a single-case design study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of manual edema mobilization (MEM) on decreasing edema and pain, and increasing range of motion (ROM) using a single-subject, A-B design study. A baseline phase was established by measuring the dependent variables of edema, pain, and ROM. Next, the treatment/intervention phase was established by measuring the same dependent variables while subjects received MEM treatments. Differences between the baseline and treatment/intervention phases were analyzed statistically. In four of the five subjects, a decrease in edema between the baseline and treatment/intervention phases was statistically significant. Differences between the baseline and treatment/intervention phases for pain and ROM were not statistically significant despite qualitative reports of improvements after MEM. Therapists are encouraged to evaluate the type of edema to ensure that the appropriate treatment technique is used, as this quasi-experimental study provides statistical support for the utilization of MEM in decreasing subacute and chronic edema.

The relationship among five common carpal tunnel syndrome tests and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship among clinical carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) tests and the severity of CTS. A total of 66 subjects with electrodiagnostically confirmed CTS were tested on five CTS tests, then classified according to the severity of CTS. An association was found between testing positive on Phalen's test and the severity of CTS (p < 0.05). In contrast, no association was found between the severity of CTS and results on Tinel's sign, manual version of the carpal compression test (mCCT), Katz-Stirrat hand diagram, or carpal tunnel outcomes assessment tool. The more severe the CTS, the more likely one is to test positive on Phalen's test. Tinel's sign and the mCCT are not influenced by the severity of CTS. This study suggests that Tinel's sign and mCCT may not be useful in assessing the effectiveness of treatment. The Katz-Stirrat hand diagram and the carpal tunnel outcomes assessment tool are not influenced by the severity of CTS, indicating that numerous factors can influence a patient's response on subjective questionnaires.