Journal of Hand Therapy最新文献

{"title":"Analysis of motor axonal damage in carpal tunnel syndrome using MScanFit MUNE","authors":"Xi Xu M.S ,&nbsp;Shuqin Zhan Ph.D ,&nbsp;Heying Wang M.S ,&nbsp;Jingjie Liu M.S ,&nbsp;Li Xiang B.S ,&nbsp;Bo Zhang B.S ,&nbsp;Dengchao Huang B.S ,&nbsp;Feng Gong B.S","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Using a motor unit number estimation (MUNE) method, MScanFit MUNE enables simple, fast, noninvasive, and automated analysis of the number of motor units in patients.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To investigate the validity of the MScanFit MUNE method (number of motor units) against the compound muscle action potential method (compound amplitude of motor units) at identifying of motor axonal damage in carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly in the early stages, thereby providing a basis for timely treatment and surgical intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>Electrophysiological data were collected from 170 hands of 128 patients with different stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. A further 30 healthy subjects were included. Observe the motor axonal damage at different stages.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Compound amplitude of motor units and MScanFit MUNE values were used to analyze differences in motor axonal damage between the mild, moderate, severe patient groups, and control group. Plot the ROC curves for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome using the two methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean MScanFit MUNE values for the mild, moderate, and severe groups were 79.4 ± 19.2, 55.2 ± 17.9, and 27.4 ± 11.7, respectively. The compound amplitude of motor units for these groups were 6.5 ± 2.4 mV, 5.2 ± 2.9 mV, and 3.1 ± 1.7 mV, respectively. The values for both methods were lower in the severe group than in the mild and moderate groups (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). The MScanFit MUNE values were lower in the mild group than in the control group (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), whereas this difference was not observed in another method. The respective areas under the ROC curves for diagnosis were 0.78 for compound amplitude of motor units and 0.86 for MScanFit MUNE.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The MScanFit MUNE method is more effective in identifying motor axonal damage at different stages of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in the early stages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 387-397"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145552031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect on forearm muscle activity of manipulative assistive devices’ use in activities of daily living","authors":"Maria-Jesus Agost PhD,&nbsp;Néstor J. Jarque-Bou PhD,&nbsp;Alba Roda-Sales PhD,&nbsp;Joaquín L. Sancho-Bru PhD,&nbsp;Margarita Vergara PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Assistive devices play a crucial role in helping individuals with impaired function to conduct activities of daily living. The application of surface electromyography technique to study forearm muscle activity in the use of assistive devices would complement kinematic studies to optimize design features of assistive devices for manipulation.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study investigates the effect of various assistive devices on forearm muscle activity of healthy people while performing activities of daily living, measured using surface electromyography technique.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>Primary clinical, descriptive cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fourteen pairs of equivalent activities of daily living tasks, performed with and without assistive devices in 22 participants, were compared. The surface electromyography data from the MOVMUS-UJI Dataset were used. For each pair of equivalent tasks and each spot (forearm area), related-samples Wilcoxon tests were applied in p50 and p95 surface electromyography values of muscle activity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results revealed significant differences in forearm muscle activity, primarily due to changes in grasp type or hand-object position. Some devices led to decreased muscle activity (up to 64.2%), while others resulted in increased muscle activity (up to 95.6%) depending on the task and device characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The analysis of the surface electromyography recording values is useful for deciding whether an assistive device helps to reduce the effort required while performing an activities of daily living and for designing new assistive devices with features that favor the most appropriate grip type or orientation. The findings highlight the importance of personalized design for assistive devices to optimize functionality and to reduce muscular effort. Therefore, the results are beneficial for therapists prescribing assistive devices, as they assist in evaluating the specific effects on muscle activity in individual patients. This study contributes to enhance the understanding of the ergonomic implications of assistive device use for supporting individuals with impaired function in activities of daily living.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 324-341"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144318753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Finger motion required for Auslan: A biomechanical analysis","authors":"David J. Graham ,&nbsp;Luke McCarron ,&nbsp;Teresa Phillips ,&nbsp;Brahman S. Sivakumar","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Australian Sign Language (Auslan) relies heavily on precise finger movements, alongside wrist, forearm, and elbow coordination. Prior studies have examined upper limb biomechanics in Auslan communication but have not quantified the specific range of motion (ROM) required of the fingers.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To determine the finger ROM necessary for effective Auslan communication, providing evidence to guide rehabilitation strategies for patients reliant on Auslan.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>Biomechanical analysis</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two right-handed native Auslan communicators were recruited for biomechanical analysis. Reflective markers tracked finger joint movement during the signing of 28 commonly used Auslan phrases, repeated five times each. Data were processed to calculate the coronal, sagittal, and axial ROM for the distal interphalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and metacarpophalangeal joints. Descriptive statistics summarized the required ROM and interquartile ranges.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Greater ROM was required in the distal interphalangeal joints of the right index, middle, and ring fingers and the left little finger. Metacarpophalangeal joint motion was comparable bilaterally for the index and middle fingers but was significantly greater on the dominant hand for the ring and little fingers. The right hand demonstrated higher ROM and interquartile ranges overall, reflecting its dominant role in Auslan articulation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Effective Auslan communication requires greater finger ROM on the dominant hand, particularly for the index, middle, and ring fingers. Rehabilitation strategies should prioritize motion preservation in these joints. Conversely, lower ROM demands on the non-dominant hand suggest motion-sacrificing interventions may be more viable and appropriate for certain joints without compromising function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 398-402"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of factors affecting manual dexterity in ataxic individuals","authors":"Gülşah Sütçü Uçmak PhD ,&nbsp;Muhammed Kılınç PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Manual dexterity is negatively affected in ataxic individuals and determining the determinants of manual dexterity is very important for maintaining functional independence, especially in activities of daily living related to the upper extremities.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate manual dexterity in ataxic individuals, to examine the factors affecting manual dexterity and the effects of these factors on each other.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>This is a clinical measurement study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study included 26 ataxic individuals (16 female, 10 male). Manual dexterity was assessed with the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test, hand functions with ABILHAND, balance with the Berg Balance Scale, disease severity with the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and trunk position sense with a digital inclinometer. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of the independent variables of hand functions (model 1-2-3), balance (model 2-3) and disease severity and trunk position sense (model 3) on the dependent variable of manual dexterity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age of the individuals was 45.7 ± 11.7 years. Hand functions in model 1 (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = −2.14, <em>p</em> = 0.029), balance in model 2 (B = −2.53, <em>p</em> = 0.001) and ataxia severity in model 3 (B = 2.04, <em>p</em> = 0.010) were the factors affecting manual dexterity. Trunk position sense was not found to be a factor affecting manual dexterity (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Disease severity has a predominantly negative impact on manual dexterity when evaluated together with hand function, balance and trunk position sense. To alleviate accompanying symptoms such as lack of coordination, tremor, dysmetria and instability, rehabilitation programs planned to prevent the increase in ataxia severity from the early stages of ataxia may ensure the maintenance of manual dexterity. Integrating task-oriented rehabilitation for clinical settings and individualized strategies that can be implemented in the home environment into ataxia rehabilitation may improve hand functionality in activities of daily living.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 362-367"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145558388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Telemedicine-based measurement of finger joint range of motion in patients: A reliability and concurrent validity study","authors":"Sasha Létourneau MD, MSc ,&nbsp;Omar Salem Taboun MSc ,&nbsp;Caroline Esmonde-White MSc, MD ,&nbsp;Rohin Ahluwalia BSc ,&nbsp;Joy MacDermid BScPT, MSc, PhD ,&nbsp;Caitlin Symonette MD, MSc ,&nbsp;Douglas Ross MD, MEd ,&nbsp;Ruby Grewal MD, MSc","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Although the use of telemedicine has persisted in hand surgery and therapy practices beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a need for simple, validated means of remotely measuring finger joint range of motion for integration in fast-paced virtual clinics. We propose on-screen measurement, a technique previously validated in the elbow, which involves holding a goniometer up to the telemedicine appointment screen.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to determine the reliability and concurrent validity of on-screen measurements relative to the gold standard, in-person goniometry. Congruence of management plans established at virtual and in-person appointments was as a secondary aim.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>Prospective Reliability and Agreement (Concurrent Validity) Study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients with Dupuytren’s disease assessed virtually and in-person were recruited from one surgeon’s practice. Virtual and in-person measurements in maximal passive extension, time between appointments and treatment plans made at each visit were extracted from patients’ charts. In-person assessors were blinded to previous telemedicine-based measurements and, after a 2-week washout period, the original assessor and two additional assessors re-measured joints from screenshots captured at telemedicine appointment. Descriptive and statistical analyses were used to evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability as well as concurrent validity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fifty-four eligible patients (191 joints; 102 digits) attended telemedicine and in-person appointments at a median of 31 days apart. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient &gt;0.96). The absolute mean difference between on-screen and in-person measurements was 8˚, with 61.7% of on-screen measurements falling within 10˚ of in-person measurements. Management plans made at the telemedicine appointment were congruent with those carried out in-person in 96.3% of cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>On-screen measurement is highly reliable with concurrent validity that compares to similar photography-based measurement studies. Our results suggest on-screen measurement may be a useful tool for initial consultation and triaging of patients with flexion contractures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 377-386"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145139505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The arm curl score is the best indicator of reduced upper extremity exercise capacity in women with fibromyalgia: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Habibe Durdu PhD ,&nbsp;Ulku Kezban Sahin PhD ,&nbsp;Ilker Fatih Sari MD","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2024.12.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2024.12.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Unsupported upper extremity exercise capacity (UUEEC) is crucial for sustaining everyday functions; whether it is compromised in the fibromyalgia (FM) population is unknown.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The study aimed to assess UUEEC in women with FM and to determine associated factors.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>This is a cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><span>This study was conducted with 48 women with FM and 48 healthy women between the ages of 18–65. UUEEC, muscle strength, flexibility and disability of upper extremity, disease severity, pain catastrophizing, and </span>quality of life<span> assessed with the Six Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT), arm curl test, hand grip strength test, back-scratch test, Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale and Short-form 36 questionnaires, respectively.</span></div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The 6PBRT score was significantly decreased in the women with FM compared to healthy women (<em>p</em><span> &lt; 0.001, Cohen d: 1.28). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the model incorporating the arm curl score, hand grip strength, DASH, and FIQ scores was explained 68% of the variance in 6PBRT score (R</span>² = 0.672, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). The results indicated that all variables in the model were independent predictors of 6PBRT score, with the arm curl score was the strongest predictor (β = 6.36, <em>p</em> = 0.015).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study suggests that UUEEC measured by 6PBRT is reduced in women with FM, and the upper extremity muscle strength is closely related to the 6PBRT score. Accordingly, strengthening the biceps brachii muscle<span> in women with FM, whose muscle weakness is common, may be effective in improving UUEEC, which is directly associated to daily activities.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 314-320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143426765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative electromyographic study of the stabilizing muscles of the trapeziometacarpal joint during different rehabilitation exercises","authors":"Cristian Cheuquelaf MSc ,&nbsp;Oscar Valencia MSc ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Guzmán-Venegas PhD ,&nbsp;Alejandra Aguilera-Godoy PT ,&nbsp;Enrique Nicolás Sepúlveda-López PT ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2024.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2024.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and opponens pollicis (OP) muscles are the main stabilizers of the trapeziometacarpal joint. Optimal exercise selection based on surface electromyography (sEMG) activity may help to optimize rehabilitation programs in hand therapy.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To compare the sEMG activity of FDI and OP during seven typical rehabilitation exercises.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twelve healthy participants (age: 25.92 ± 5.79, female/male: 6/6) were included. The sEMG activity of the FDI and OP was measured during seven therapeutic exercises<span><span>; thumb-to-little fingertip pinch, tri-digit tip pinch, intrinsic plus fist with ball, key pinch, four- and five-finger separation with elastic resistance, and thumb-index tip pinch. Root mean square was used and adjusted to the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of each muscle. </span>Friedman's test with Dunn's post-hoc was used to compare amplitude signals between exercises.</span></div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Intrinsic plus fist with ball showed the highest electromyographic amplitude for FDI and OP. Post-hoc analysis revealed a statistical difference between intrinsic plus fist with ball (45.67% of MVC) and four-finger separation (8.70% MVC, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001) for the OP. While for FDI, post-hoc analysis showed statistical differences between intrinsic plus fist with ball (49.70% MVC) and four hand exercises (thumb-to-little fingertip pinch = 12.13% MVC, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001; tri-digit tip pinch = 13.21% MVC, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001; four-finger separation = 18.51% MVC, <em>p</em> = 0.004; thumb-index tip pinch = 17.66% MVC, <em>p</em> = 0.0028).</div></div><div><h3>Discussion/Conclusion</h3><div>Intrinsic plus fist with ball exercise showed the highest sEMG activation. These findings could guide hand therapists in the optimal selection of exercises, taking into account the level of muscle activity in routine rehabilitation exercises.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 297-303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143371442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test: A reliable and valid measurement tool in Parkinson's disease","authors":"Sefa Eldemir PT, PhD ,&nbsp;Kader Eldemir PT, PhD ,&nbsp;Burhanettin Cigdem Assoc Prof","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2025.09.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Manual dexterity impairments are among the most common and debilitating motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Assessment of dexterity is therefore critical for evaluating upper limb function and guiding therapeutic interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To determine the test-retest reliability, minimum detectable change, concurrent, and discriminant validity of the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test in people with Parkinson’s disease, and cut-off times that best distinguish people with Parkinson’s disease from healthy controls.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Forty people with Parkinson’s disease and 30 healthy people were included. The test-retest reliability was evaluated by determining the intraclass correlation coefficient. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were calculated by using intraclass correlation coefficient results. The concurrent validity of Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test was determined by investigating its relationship with the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-NHPT), Jebsen Hand Function Assessment Test (JHFT), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, and Hoehn and Yahr scale. The cut-off times that best discriminated between people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls were investigated by plotting receiver operating characteristic curves.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.975-0.994). The minimum detectable change values of Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test subtests ranged from 7.26 to 12.39. Subtests showed fair to strong correlations with other outcomes (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.39 to 0.78, <em>p</em> ≤ 0.02). Significant differences in the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test subtests were found between people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Cut-off times ranging from 61.20 to 93.71 seconds were found to be good discriminants people with Parkinson’s disease from healthy controls.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test is a reliable and valid tool for assessing manual dexterity in people with Parkinson’s disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 411-420"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145574646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial Board / Masthead / ASHT Officers","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0894-1130(26)00036-0","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0894-1130(26)00036-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages A3-A4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147967751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The influence of early exercise (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based muscle activation) on functional prognosis in patients with distal radius fracture: A retrospective observational study","authors":"Hong Tang,&nbsp;Pushan Yang,&nbsp;Xu Wang,&nbsp;Biao Zhao,&nbsp;Kun Ling MD","doi":"10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jht.2026.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Early rehabilitation is important after distal radius fractures, but evidence for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation remains limited.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based early exercise program on functional prognosis after surgical fixation of distal radius fractures, compared with standard postoperative care.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>A retrospective observational study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this retrospective observational study, 114 surgically treated patients from January-December 2023 were allocated to a control group receiving standard postoperative care or an early exercise group receiving additional Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based exercise starting 3-4 weeks after surgery. Outcomes included wrist range of motion, grip strength, pain level, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, time to return to work, and radiographic healing at 12 weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>At 6 weeks after surgery, the early exercise group showed greater wrist flexion (4.9°), extension (4.3°), pronation (5.4°), and supination (4.9°) than the control group. Grip strength was 3.1 kg higher (<em>p</em> = 0.002), Visual Analog Scale pain scores were 1.4 points lower (<em>p</em> = 0.001), and the mean DASH score was better (<em>p</em> = 0.015). Time to return to work was shorter (<em>p</em> = 0.002), and the healing rate at 12 weeks after surgery was higher (<em>p</em> = 0.002).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based early exercise significantly enhanced wrist motion, grip strength, pain relief, and disability reduction, leading to faster return to work and improved fracture healing. These results support incorporating structured Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation-based rehabilitation into standard postoperative care for distal radius fractures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54814,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hand Therapy","volume":"39 2","pages":"Pages 435-443"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147693761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}