title: Evaluating the effectiveness of a patient-oriented hand rehabilitation programme.
abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a patient-oriented, hand rehabilitation programme compared to a standard programme regarding functional outcomes, return to work, patient satisfaction and costs. Patients were recruited in two consecutive cohorts. One cohort received the standard treatment programme (n = 75) and the other a programme based on principles of patient orientation (n = 75). Data were collected at the beginning and end of rehabilitation and 6 months after discharge. Clinical variables included range of motion, grip and pinch strength. Self-reported measures included pain, upper extremity functioning, health status, satisfaction and job situation. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements was used to calculate the main effects. The patient-oriented group showed more favourable results with respect to DASH scores (P <.05), pain (P <.001) and patient satisfaction (P <.0001). More patients returned to their former jobs and time off sick was reduced. We concluded that the patient-oriented approach was more effective and cost-saving.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Centre, BG Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany. angela.harth@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harth
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jester
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome