Abstract:
Work-related injures account for 15 percent of the total number of disabled people in the United States. Every year, as the result of accidents, illnesses, or degenerative diseases 570,000 people are forced out of jobs onto the disabled list It is imperative that rehabilitation techniques which provides a complete and speedy recovery are employed. The rehabilitation plans for the patient must be oriented toward return of function, not just relief of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a hand and finger rehabilitation program known as the BTE work simulator on patients with occupational hand and finger injuries. Specifically this study determined the grip and pinch strength of a group of patients with occupation hand and finger injuries. The injuries included in this study ranged from amputations to lacerations. Seven male and three female hand injury patients participated in this study. The rehabilitation program was administered three times a week for three weeks. The program consisted of the following activities: a betadine whirlpool or Fluidotherapy, active, passive and BTE exercises. The subjects were then asked to start the grip and pinch tests. In grip strength, repeated measures analysis of variance statistical procedures indicated asignificant difference between session (F9,89 = 8.49, P<.00). In pinch strength,repeated measures analysis of variance statistical procedures indicated a significant difference between session ( F9,89 = 8.88, P<.00 ). Within the limitations of this study,it can be concluded that the BTE rehabilitation is an effective form of hand therapy.