Citation

Wu YT, Chen KH, Ban SL, Tung KY, Chen LR. Burns 2019; 45(1): 157-164.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: gracealex168@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2018.08.001

PMID

30322737

Abstract

Hand burns cause functional impairment. Leap motion control (LMC), a kind of virtual reality games, employs a novel system that provides biofeedback and training of fine motor function and functional skills. In this study, we hypothesized that LMC would improve burned hand function. Sixteen participants were allocated to either the LMC group or the control group. The LMC group played 20min identical leap motion video games after 40min traditional occupational therapy (OT). The control group received traditional OT for 60min. Both groups received interventions 2 days a week for 4 months. A series of questionnaires were administered, including BSHS-B, QuickDASH, iADL, and Barthel index. Data on baseline characteristics including joint range of motion (ROM), grip and pinch strength, and scar thickness were obtained. Furthermore, we used the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for comparison, as appropriate. We found improvements in BSHS-B, QuickDASH, and iADL in the LMC group (all p<0.05) compared to those in the control group. In the LMC-trained hand, the ROM of the thumb IP joint and pinch strength increased, whereas the scar thickness over the first dorsal interossei muscle decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, leap motion training could help patients with hand burns to increase finger ROM, decrease scar thickness, and improve hand function.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Burn rehabilitation; Burn scar; Dust explosion disaster; Hand burns; Leap motion; Scar management