title: The Optimal Rehabilitation Period for Patients with Distal Radius Fractures According to the MCID in DASH Scores; A Preliminary Study.
abstract: The statistical concept of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) enables the interpretation of small but meaningful changes that result from an intervention. This retrospective study aimed to examine the factors that influence the achievement of MCID after a distal radius fracture.
  
  
  
  A total of 45 patients (mean age: 54.2 ± 16 years) were included. Of these, 27 patients started rehabilitation within 3 days of surgery (Early group), and 18 patients underwent immobilization for 2 weeks after surgery, before starting rehabilitation (Non-early group). Functional outcomes and DASH scores at 4 weeks (baseline) were compared with those measured at 8 and 12 weeks for both groups, to determine whether the MCID had been achieved.
  
  
  
  Our results showed that at 8 weeks after surgery in the early group, the grip strength, ulnar flexion, and baseline DASH score were significantly different between the groups that did and did not show an MCID ([Formula: see text]). There was also a significant difference in the baseline DASH score at 12 weeks after surgery ([Formula: see text]). None of these factors were significant in the non-early group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the DASH score at 4 weeks (baseline) was an independent predictor for achieving a DASH MCID at 8 weeks postoperatively in the early group (odds ratio: 1.193). Those achieving a DASH MCID at 12 weeks postoperatively were completely separated by the baseline DASH score (≥ 29 points).
  
  
  
  If it is assumed that the effectiveness of rehabilitation depends upon achieving the DASH MCID by promoting functional recovery, early initiation might be recommended.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Rehabilitation and Care, Seijoh University, Tokai, Japan.
authors.forename: Terufumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iitsuka
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwatsuki
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Hand Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Outcome assessment; Radius fracture; Rehabilitation