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K.P. Zaiwala1, Y. Shukla1
1Civil Hospital, Burns and Rehabilitation Ward, Ahmedabad, India
Background: Burn Injuries are among the leading causes of Disability-Adjusted Life Years Lost in low and middle income countries. About 6-7 million people in India suffer from burn injuries every year.
Hand Burns is the major injury according to American Burns Association. Although each hand represents less than 3% of the Total Burns Surface Area and has minimal impact on overall survival of the person, functional loss of the hands has been estimated to make up a 57% loss of function of an individual. Hence functional outcome is very important for future productivity.
Hand Burns is the major injury according to American Burns Association. Although each hand represents less than 3% of the Total Burns Surface Area and has minimal impact on overall survival of the person, functional loss of the hands has been estimated to make up a 57% loss of function of an individual. Hence functional outcome is very important for future productivity.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of Hydrotherapy on improvement in hand function post burn injury which will in-turn increase the long term productivity and independence of individuals post burn injury.
Methods: Individuals with thermal burn injury in hand were included in the study after screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Written informed consent was taken from the ones willing to participate in the study. Hand Function assessment was taken using Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire and Hand Grip strength was measured using Hand Held Dynamometer. Patient was then administered Hydrotherapy for 20 minutes, each day, for 1 week. Pre-assessed measurements were again taken post-treatment on 7th day.
Results: Statistical Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences v.16. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was applied for the evaluation of the data.
Results showed statistically significant improvement in Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire (p < 0.05) but showed no significant improvement in hand grip strength.
Results showed statistically significant improvement in Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire (p < 0.05) but showed no significant improvement in hand grip strength.
Conclusion(s): Hydrotherapy is shown to be effective in improving hand function in individuals with burn injury thereby aiding in early rehabilitation and preventing long-term disabilities.
Implications: Implementing hydrotherapy along with conventional treatment in early rehabilitation of an individual with burn injury can show promising results and reduce the long term dependency as well as improve the quality of life of an individual with hand burns.
Funding, acknowledgements: NONE
Keywords: Hand Function, Hydrotherapy, Thermal Burns.
Topic: Disability & rehabilitation
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: B. J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Committee: The Institutional Ethics Committee B. J. Medical College and Civil Hospital
Ethics number: GSIIESC/11/15
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
