The Efficacy of Tele Rehabilitation Intervention Compare to Traditional Therapy after ORIF of Elbow Fractures

Purpose: The Objective of this pilot study was to examine the efficacy of tele-rehabilitation intervention using a computerized system (MediTouch) following Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) of elbow fractures. The main advantages of a tele-rehabilitation program are the ability of intensive home practice, increased motivation and reduced number of visits to the hand therapy clinic. We hypothesized that the tele-rehabilitation program will be efficient as the traditional rehabilitation program.

Methods: 18 participants were recruited from the hand surgery unit in Sheba medical center, aged 19-73 (mean 45.28 ±17.86 years). Inclusion criteria: post ORIF of elbow fractures or Elbow arthrolysis surgery, stable for mobilization. The subjects were matched into two groups according to age and fracture type. The intervention for both groups included one month of rehabilitation sessions in an outpatient hand clinic and a home program. Both groups recieved a mean of three treatments per week. All subjects were evaluated before and after the intervention by the following tools: The Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test, The Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH), The Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE), range of motion measurements, strength using Dynamometer and a questionnaire which evaluated their level of satisfaction from the program. The Hypothesis was tested by comparing the differences between the groups using Man-Witney test.

Results: No statistical significant differences were found between two study groups in all measured parameters. None the less, the subjects of the tele-rehabilitation group ranked their functioning level after one month with a higher score in the PREE questionnaire. No differences were found in the satisfaction rate from the practice program in both groups, but the subjects in the tele-rehabilitation group reported a higher level of enjoyment.

Conclusion: Tele-rehabilitation is a legitimate form of treatment following elbow fractures since it yields results that are similar to traditional rehabilitation.