Article

This feasibility study sought to determine if compliance and
understanding of a home exercise program following a traumatic hand injury is
improved when patients are provided with a DVD and a brochure when compared to
using brochures only. METHOD: Patients who presented with a traumatic hand injury
and commenced on a hand therapy protocol were randomly assigned into two groups.
The control group received brochures while the experimental group were provided
with exercise instructions on DVD as well as brochures.
Compliance was measured
through the use of exercise diaries, clinic attendance, a checklist to measure
correctness and understanding of exercises and a follow-up survey. RESULTS: No
significant improvement was found in the mean exercise compliance score (p =
0.344) between the intervention and control groups.
From the survey results
almost half of all participants reported that pain interfered in their ability to
perform their home exercises and a third acknowledged that time limited their
ability to perform their exercises. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate the
multidimensional nature of compliance. The provision of DVD technology, while not
shown to cause a statistically significant change in overall compliance, did help
improve understanding of exercises; as such DVDs could be utilised as part of a
program that facilitates the patient--therapist relationship. IMPLICATIONS FOR
REHABILITATION: Limited time and level of pain are highlighted as reasons for non
compliance with exercise and treatment programs. The use of DVDs can improve
understanding and execution of exercises and can be part of a treatment program
that facilitates increased patient therapist contact for rural and remote clients.

Langue : ANGLAIS