Study of Occupational Therapy and Mirror Therapy influence on the Independence and Hand Function of Subjects

Distal radius fracture, also known as “a typical radius fracture” is thought to be the most common fracture, accounting about 70% of all forearm fractures. Distal radius fracture is the most common hand fracture, accounting for about 15% of total upper limb bone injuries. Distal radius fracture cause prolonged immobilization and long-lasting arm movement restrainment, resulting lowered performance of daily living activities and problems with different subject’ life aspects. Long-lasting restriction of movements has a negative impact on post-traumatic recovery and can damage bone and muscle tissues. Aim of the research: to determine the influence of occupational therapy and mirror therapy on the hand function, independence and pain of subjects, suffered a distal radius fracture. Tasks: 1. To evaluate the hand function, independence and pain of subjects, suffered a distal radius fracture before and after occupational therapy. 2. To compare the influence of occupational therapy and occupational therapy with mirror on hand function, independence and pain. 3. To determine factors, influencing hand function and independence of subjects suffered a distal radius fracture. The study was carried out in the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Unit of the Centro Polyclinic in Vilnius. 32 subjects with distal radius fracture participated in the study while undergoing a treatment in Polyclinic. The mean age of participants was 62,3 years. Subjects were divided into 2 groups. The first group had occupational therapy procedures with mirror while the second group had only occupational therapy. During the study, both groups performed exercises with both hands. Both therapies were applied for 3 days per week. Duration of each procedure - 30 min. Each subject had 10 occupational therapies. To assess hand function we used a dynamometer, goniometer and DASH questionnaire; for pain assessment we used Visual Analogue Scale and for the evaluation of independence we used ADL test