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Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume)
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Articles

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Patient-Oriented Hand Rehabilitation Programme

A. HARTH
G. GERMANN
A. JESTER

From the Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Centre, BG Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Correspondence: A. Harth, Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Centre, BG Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmannstr. 13, D-67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel.: +621 6810 2565; fax: +621 6810 211. E-mail: angela.harth{at}urz.uni-heidelberg.de.

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.

Key Words: hand rehabilitation • quality of care • patient orientation • DASH questionnaire

This version was published on December 1, 2008

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), Vol. 33, No. 6, 771-778 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1753193408091602
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