There was preliminary evidence from one trial that exercise to the non-injured arm during immobilisation might lead to short-term benefits on increasing grip strength and range of movement following distal radius fracture .
There is emerging evidence that current prescribed exercise regimens may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity following an upper limb fracture .
Starting exercise early combined with a shorter immobilisation period is more effective than starting exercise after a longer immobilisation period .
QUESTION What is the effect of exercise on increasing participation and activity levels and reducing impairment in the rehabilitation of people with upper limb fractures ?
Bruder AM , Shields N , Dodd KJ , Taylor NF ( 2017 ) Prescribed exercise programs may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity during upper limb fracture rehabilitation : a systematic review .
Efficacy of combined physical and occupational therapy in patients with conservatively treated distal radius fracture: randomized controlled trial
Summary Aim To evaluate the efficacy of combined physical and occupational therapy in comparison with physical therapy alone in patients with conservatively treated distal radius fracture . Methods Sixty-one participants , conservatively treated after a distal radius fracture , were included in a r and omized and single-blind trial . Group A had physical therapy only  ( n = 31 ) and group B had  physical and occupational therapy ( n = 30 ) . The assessment was performed three times : upon inclusion in the study in the first week after removal of the cast ( T1 ) , immediately after the end of the rehabilitation ( T2 ) , and 1 month after completing the rehabilitation ( T3 ) . The passive wrist range-of-motion , grip strength , and Disabilities of Arm , Shoulder and H and ( DASH ) score were used as rehabilitation outcomes . Results Rehabilitation outcomes were analyzed using two-way mixed analysis of variance . The effect of time was statistically significant ( p < 0.001 ) for all outcomes . The group ( therapy ) factor was statistically significant for grip strength only ( p = 0.038 ) . The interaction effect was statistically significant for rotation ( p = 0.034 ) and grip strength ( p = 0.021 ) . A comparison between time points T3:T1 showed statistically significant difference in grip strength in favor of group B 67 % ( 95 % CI 60–74 % ) versus group A 53 % ( 95 % CI 45–61 % ) , p = 0.024 . Conclusion The combined therapy result ed in a statistically significant increase of grip strength in comparison with isolated physical therapy in the period of 12–16 weeks after the fracture . This effectiveness was not confirmed with DASH score results
There was preliminary evidence from one trial that exercise to the non-injured arm during immobilisation might lead to short-term benefits on increasing grip strength and range of movement following distal radius fracture .
There is emerging evidence that current prescribed exercise regimens may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity following an upper limb fracture .
Starting exercise early combined with a shorter immobilisation period is more effective than starting exercise after a longer immobilisation period .
QUESTION What is the effect of exercise on increasing participation and activity levels and reducing impairment in the rehabilitation of people with upper limb fractures ?
Bruder AM , Shields N , Dodd KJ , Taylor NF ( 2017 ) Prescribed exercise programs may not be effective in reducing impairments and improving activity during upper limb fracture rehabilitation : a systematic review .