Effects of Virtual Reality Based Rehabilitation on Burned Hands

Hands are the most frequent injury sites caused by burn, and appropriate rehabilitation is essential to ensure that good functional recovery is achieved. Many interventions have been developed for patients with burns; however, hand rehabilitation tools are limited. Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has proven beneficial to the functions of upper and lower extremities. To investigate VR-based rehabilitation effects on burned hands, we compare the results of VR rehabilitation group to the results of matched conventional(CON) rehabilitation group.This single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial involved 31 patients with burns and dominant right-hand function impairment. Patients were randomized into a VR or a CON group. Each intervention was applied to the affected hand for 4 weeks. Hand function was evaluated using the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test (JTT), grasp and pinch power test, and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). These assessments were evaluated pre-intervention and 4 weeks post-intervention.Our study results suggest that VR-based rehabilitation is likely to be as effective as conventional rehabilitation for recovering hand function in a burned hand. VR-based rehabilitation may be considered a treatment option for burned hands.

Appropriate rehabilitation is important to ensure that good functional recovery is achieved. Burned hands are usually treated and managed by a multidisciplinary team at a burn center to conservatively manage hypertrophic scars. Rehabilitation of the burned hand should be initiated in the acute stages to set individualized positioning, splinting and exercise for functional activity. Frequent exercises throughout the day are more beneficial than one intensive exercise. Repeated range of motion (ROM) exercises are helpful in decreasing edema and conditioning the tissue. Despite adequate rehabilitation of the burned hand, hand functional disorders may occur. Many interventions have been developed and trialed for patients with burns; however, hand rehabilitation tools are limited and remain controversial.

Recent studies have recommended that for the functional recovery of upper extremity disorder, repetitive exercises using VR have been useful. Task-specific training has been shown to be more effective when tasks were ordered in a random practice sequence using repetition and positive feedback. VR is an interactive and enjoyable intervention. VR creates a virtual rehabilitation scene in which the intensity of practice can be systemically manipulated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of VR-based rehabilitation on burned hands, and compare the results to those of matched CON rehabilitation in patients with burns.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* The patients' burn scars had re-epithelialized after aseptic care or skin graft. We included patients aged ≥18 years with a deep partial-thickness (second-degree) burn or a full thickness (third-degree) burn to their hands, with joint contracture(hand and wrist), having been transferred to the rehabilitation department after acute burn treatment, and less than 6 months since the onset of the burn injury.

Exclusion Criteria:

* patients who had fourth-degree burns(involving muscles, tendons, and bone injuries), musculoskeletal diseases(fracture, amputation, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative joint diseases) in the burned hand, or neurological diseases(such as peripheral nerve disorders), preexisting physical and psychologic disability (severe aphasia and cognitive impairment that could influence the intervention), and severe pain impeding hand rehabilitation.