Comparison of the validity and reliability of three different methods used for wrist proprioception measurement.

BACKGROUND: ː Early detection of loss of proprioception is essential to prevent injury and maintain professional work activities. However, although many different methods are present for wrist proprioception measurement, these methods' validity and reliability studies are quite limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare the validity and reliability of the goniometer, inclinometer, and joint position sense goniometer methods used in measuring wrist active joint position sense (AJPS). METHODS: ː Thirty-two volunteer healthy participants (64 wrists) between the ages of 19-31 (mean age:23,34 ± 3,84) were included in the study. Wrist AJPS was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer as a reference standard in addition to an inclinometer, goniometer, and joint position sense goniometer (JPSG). Spearman's Correlation Coefficient was used for validity analysis, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC3,1) was used to analyze test-retest reliability. RESULTS: ː It was found that the goniometer (p < 0.001, r = 0.529) is a moderately valid method to assess active wrist joint position sense. The JPSG (p < 0.001, r = 0.432) and inclinometer (p = 0.005, r = 0.350) have weak validity. According to the results of ICC3,1 analysis, the goniometer (p < 0.001, ICC3,1 = 0.422) and JPSG (p < 0.001, ICC3,1 = 0.369) were found to have poor reliability in assessing wrist AJPS, and the inclinometer (p = 0,183, ICC3,1 = 0,114) was not found as a reliable method. CONCLUSIONS: ː Our results suggest that the JPSG and inclinometer should not be used in the wrist active joint position sense evaluation because of weak validity and poor reliability. The goniometer can be used in clinics and academic research to evaluate wrist joint position sense if the rater lacks a reliable and valid measurement tool.

Investigation of the barriers to and functional outcomes of telerehabilitation in patients with hand injury.

BACKGROUND: Telerehabilitation is an approach that is growing in importance and rapidly becoming more prevalent. However, the potential barriers to this approach and its effectiveness relative to face-to-face treatment still need to be determined. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the technology and access barriers, implementation and organizational challenges, and communication barriers faced by patients undergoing postoperative telerehabilitation after hand tendon repair surgery. It also aimed to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation on pain, kinesiophobia, and functional outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, nonrandomized comparative clinical study. METHODS: The study was conducted with 44 patients who underwent tendon repair surgery due to tendon injuries of the extrinsic muscles of the hand. Participants were divided into two groups (face-to-face group and telerehabilitation group). All participants received three physiotherapy sessions per week for 8 weeks from their surgery (via video conference using mobile phones to the telerehabilitation group). An early passive motion protocol was applied for flexor tendon and zone 5-7 extensor tendon repairs. Mallet finger rehabilitation was performed for zone 2 extensor tendon repairs, while an early active short arc approach was used for zone 3-4 repairs. The telerehabilitation and face-to-face groups received the same treatment protocols three times a week. In the eighth week of treatment (in the 24th session), the Turkish version of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Injury Questionnaire (DASH-T) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were administered to all patients. The telerehabilitation group also underwent a barrier questionnaire. A pretreatment assessment could not be conducted. The independent-sample t-test was used for DASH-T data, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia to compare groups. RESULTS: In the study, there were 24 participants (age: 31.58 ± 12.02 years) in the face-to-face group and 20 participants (age: 39.25 ± 12.72 years) in the telerehabilitation group. The two groups were similar in terms of DASH-T and pain (p = 0.103, effect size = 0.647, and p = 0.086, effect size = 0.652, respectively) in the 8 weeks. However, the telerehabilitation group had a higher fear of movement (p = 0.017, effect size = 3.265). The most common barriers to telerehabilitation practices were the fear of damaging the tendon repair and the need for help during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We determined that face-to-face treatment in acute physiotherapy for patients who have undergone tendon repair may be more effective compared to telerehabilitation, as it appears to be less likely to induce kinesiophobia. However, in situations where face-to-face treatment is not possible (such as lockdown), telerehabilitation can also be preferred after at least one in-person session to teach and perform exercises.

Test-retest reliability, convergent validity and cross-cultural adaptation of Turkish version of the Hand10 questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The Hand10 Questionnaire is composed of 10 short, easy to understand and illustrated questions and was developed to measure upper extremity disorders. Thanks to these features, unlike other questionnaires that assess upper extremity disorders, it can be used in the elderly and children as well as adults. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the Hand10 into Turkish and to test its reliability and validity. METHODS: Translation and back-translation of the Hand10 were performed according to Beaton guidelines. Patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire once and the final version of the Hand10 Questionnaire twice, with 7-days interval. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were determined using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient analysis and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Convergent validity of Hand10 was determined with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire using Pearson Correlation Coefficient analysis. RESULTS: One hundred patients participated in the study. Cronbach's alpha value was 0.919, indicating an excellent internal consistency. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient value for test-retest reliability were found to be 0.890 that indicates a high reliability. Hand10 showed very good correlation with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (r: 0.669). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the Hand10 met set criteria of reliability and validity. As a result of this study, we determined that Hand10 is a useful instrument to measure upper extremity disorders in Turkish-speaking patients. It is recommended to be used in clinical settings and researches.

Test-Retest Reliability of Isokinetic Wrist Strength and Proprioception Measurements.

CONTEXT: The evaluation of the wrist strength and proprioception gives clinicians and researchers information about effectiveness of their rehabilitation protocol or helps diagnosis of various neuromuscular and somatosensorial disorders. Isokinetic dynamometers are considered the gold standard for these evaluations. However, the studies about test-retest reliability of isokinetic dynamometer are inadequate. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of isokinetic wrist strength and proprioception measurements using the Cybex isokinetic dynamometer. DESIGN: Test-retest reliability study. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty participants were enrolled (age 23.2 [2.8] y, height 171.1 [7] cm, weight 66.6 [11.6] kg) in this study. INTERVENTION: Cybex isokinetic dynamometer was used for strength and proprioception measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concentric flexion-extension strength test was performed at 90°/s angular velocity, and eccentric flexion-extension strength test was performed at 60°/s angular velocity. The proprioception of the wrist was assessed via active joint position sense. The 30° extension of the wrist, which is accepted as the functional position of the wrist, was selected as the targeted angle. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) method was used for test-retest analysis (P < .05). RESULTS: The active joint position sense measurements of dominant (ICC2,1: .821) and nondominant (ICC2,1: .763) sides were found to have good test-retest reliability. Furthermore, with the exception of dominant eccentric extension strength (moderate reliability) (ICC2,1: .733), eccentric and concentric flexion (dominant: ICC2,1 = .890-.844; nondominant: ICC2,1 = .800-.898, respectively), and extension (dominant: ICC2,1 = .791 [concentric], nondominant: ICC2,1 = .791-.818, respectively) strength measurements of both sides were found to have good reliability. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the Cybex isokinetic dynamometer is a reliable method for measuring wrist strength and proprioception. Isokinetic dynamometers can be used clinically for diagnosis or rehabilitation in studies which contain wrist proprioception or strength measurements.