Investigating the Efficacy of Telerehabilitation in Individuals Who Underwent Hand Tendon Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2026.6752Keywords:
Exercise, Injury, Telerehabilitation, Tendon, TreatmentAbstract
Hand tendon injuries require a long rehabilitation process. Telerehabilitation may offer advantages in terms of accessibility, time, and cost. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of telerehabilitation in individuals who underwent hand tendon surgery. This randomized controlled study comprised two groups: a home program group and a telerehabilitation group. While the control group continued their routine treatment and home program, the intervention group’s home program was monitored via telerehabilitation three times per week for six weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, a baseline hydraulic hand dynamometer for gross grip strength, a Lafayette hydraulic pinch meter for fine grip strength, the Nine-Hole Peg Test for dexterity, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire for functional status. The findings indicated that telerehabilitation had positive effects on activities of daily living and overall functionality.
References
Ayhan, E., Tuna, Z., & Oksuz, C. (2021). Getting better results in flexor tendon surgery and therapy. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003432
Azm, A., Hawary, Y., Turki, A., & Mostafa, W. (2024). Epidemiology of traumatic hand injuries. International Journal of Surgery Science. https://doi.org/10.33545/surgery.2024.v8.i3a.1086.
Beaton, D. E., Wright, J. G., Katz, J. N., & Upper Extremity Collaborative Group. (2005). Development of the QuickDASH: Comparison of three item-reduction approaches. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 87(5), 1038–1046. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.D.02060
Brigo, E., Rintala, A., Kossi, O., Verwaest, F., Vanhoof, O., Feys, P., & Bonnechère, B. (2022). Using telehealth to guarantee the continuity of rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610325.
Campbell, E., Pillai, S., Vamadeva, S. V., & Pahal, G. S. (2020). Hand tendon injuries. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 81(11), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2020.0141
De Cola, M. C., De Luca, R., Bramanti, A., Bertè, F., Bramanti, P., & Calabrò, R. S. (2016). Tele-health services for the elderly: A novel southern Italy family needs-oriented model. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 22(6), 356–362. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X15604290
Doğan, S. K., Ay, S., Evcik, D., & Baser, O. (2011). Adaptation of Turkish version of the questionnaire Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical Rheumatology, 30(2), 185–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-010-1470-y
Galea, M. (2019). Telemedicine in rehabilitation.. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 30 2, 473-483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2018.12.002.
Garcia, A., Mayans, B., Margelí, C., Pamplona, A., Molas, C., Monràs, J., … Serrancolí, G. (2022). A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of Muvity: A telerehabilitation system for chronic post-stroke subjects. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 31(11), 106791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106791
Gwilliam, M., Derk, S., Socias-Morales, C., Hendricks, S., Innes, K., Reichard, A., & Smith, G. (2025). National estimates of work-related emergency department-treated finger, hand, and wrist injuries, United States 2015-2022.. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 108134 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2025.108134.
Hall, B., Lee, H., Page, R., Rosenwax, L., & Lee, A. H. (2010). Comparing three postoperative treatment protocols for extensor tendon repair in zones V and VI of the hand. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64(5), 682–688. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2010.09091
Kablanoğlu, S., & Sade, S. (2025). The relationship between pain and activity participation, quality of life and depression symptoms in traumatic hand injuries. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, 59, 146 - 151. https://doi.org/10.5152/j.aott.2025.24094.
Kablanoğlu, S., Alyanak, B., Sade, I., Çetinkaya, B., Balcı, S., & Çekmece, Ç. (2023). Retrospective evaluation of patients with traumatic hand injuries. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1327034.
Karaçam, S., & Gultekinler, B. (2025). Flexor tendon repair rehabilitation in Turkiye, therapists’ current management trends: A cross-sectional survey study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08960-x.
Khurshid, J., Baba, U., & Zargar, H. (2023). Hand injuries at work: Causes, spectrum and management. International Journal of Research and Review. https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20230187.
Kloze, A., & Wojtal, Z. (2021). Assessment of online physiotherapy consultation for children–parents' opinions. Advances in Rehabilitation, 35(2), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.5114/areh.2021.104906
Laferté, C., Dépelteau, A., & Hudon, C. (2020). Injuries and frequent use of emergency department services: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 10. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040272.
Laver, K., Walker, M., & Ward, N. (2022). Telerehabilitation for stroke is here to stay. But at what cost? Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 36(6), 331–334. https://doi.org/10.1177/15459683221100492
Mathiowetz, V., Weber, K., Kashman, N. & Volland, G. (1985). Adult norms for the nine-hole peg test of finger dexterity. The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 5(1), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/153944928500500102
Mathiowetz, V., Weber, K., Volland, G., & Kashman, N. (1984). Reliability and validity of grip and pinch strength evaluations. The Journal of Hand Surgery, 9(2), 222–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0363-5023(84)80146-X
Mehrzad, R., Mookerjee, V., Schmidt, S., Jehle, C., Rao, V., Mehrzad, M., & Liu, P. Y. (2022). The economic impact of extensor tendon lacerations of the hand in the United States. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 88(2), 168-172. https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000002927.
Mercan, Y., Pancar, N., Keskin, O., & Ketenci, Ö. (2024). Hastane çalışanlarında iş kazaları epidemiyolojisi ve etkileyen faktörler. Sürekli Tıp Eğitimi Dergisi, 33(3), 229-242.
Nizeyimana, E., Joseph, C., & Louw, Q. (2022). A scoping review of feasibility, cost-effectiveness, access to quality rehabilitation services and impact of telerehabilitation: A review protocol. Digital Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076211066708.
Özden, F., & Lembarki, Y. (2020). The ethical necessities and principles in telerehabilitation. Sağlık Hizmetleri ve Eğitimi Dergisi, 3(2), 35-37.
Pantelić, A., Gambiroža, K., Matić, S., & Tulić, G. (2022). Clinical epidemiology of domestic and industrial hand and wrist circular saw injuries. Srpski medicinski časopis Lekarske komore, 3(3), 317-322.
Parraguez, L. A. L., Ribeiro, I. L., Hinojosa, M. P., & Troncoso, J. P. (2023). Implementation of a telerehabilitation program for oncosurgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives and user satisfaction. Supportive Care in Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-07799-z
Patel, D., Chadha, A., Wingkar, C., & Jagtap, S. (2025). Agriculture related traumatic hand injuries and reconstructive interventions: An observational study at a tertiary care centre. International Surgery Journal. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20253016.
Pech-Argüelles, R. C., Miranda-Ortiz, Y. J., Velázquez-Hernández, H. E., Domínguez-Cordero, R., Ruiz-Pacheco, C., Figueroa-García, J., & Rojano-Mejía, D. (2023). Tele-rehabilitation program in patients with distal radius fracture: A controlled clinical trial. Cirugía y Cirujanos. https://doi.org/10.24875/CIRUE.M22000599
Prada, S., Toro, J., Peña-Zarate, E., Libreros-Peña, L., Alarcón, J., & Escobar, M. (2024). Impact of a teaching hospital-based multidisciplinary telemedicine programme in Southwestern Colombia: A cross-sectional resource analysis. BMJ Open, 14. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084447.
Prvu Bettger, J., & Resnik, L. J. (2020). Telerehabilitation in the age of COVID-19: An opportunity for learning health system research. Physical Therapy, 100(11), 1913–1916. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa151
Rodríguez Sánchez-Laulhé, P., Luque-Romero, L. G., Barrero-García, F. J., Biscarri-Carbonero, Á., Blanquero, J., Suero-Pineda, A., & Heredia-Rizo, A. M. (2022). An exercise and educational and self-management program delivered with a smartphone app (CareHand) in adults with rheumatoid arthritis of the hands: Randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(4), e35462. https://doi.org/10.2196/35462
Rodríguez, Á., Tocanchón, G., Villalba, J., Pombo, L., Teherán, A., Camero-Ramos, G., Ayala, K., & Acero, G. (2024). Epidemiology of work-related hand and wrist injuries in a referral center: A descriptive study. World Journal of Orthopedics, 15, 650 - 659. https://doi.org/10.5312/wjo.v15.i7.650.
Saraee, E., Singh, S., Hendron, K., Zheng, M., Joshi, A., Ellis, T., & Betke, M. (2017, June). ExerciseCheck: Remote monitoring and evaluation platform for home-based physical therapy. In Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Pervasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments (pp. 87–90). https://doi.org/10.1145/3056540.3064958
Suero-Pineda, A., Oliva-Pascual-Vaca, Á., Durán, M. R. P., Sánchez-Laulhé, P. R., García-Frasquet, M. Á., & Blanquero, J. (2025). Effectiveness of a telerehabilitation tablet app in combination with face-to-face physiotherapy for people with wrist, hand or finger injuries: A pragmatic multicentre clinical trial. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 31(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X231172245
Surya, N., & Someshwar, H. (2025). Low-cost telerehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries (lmics): Overcoming barriers to access and improving healthcare delivery. NeuroRehabilitation, 56, 30 - 36. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538135241303349.
Svingen, J., Arner, M., & Turesson, C. (2023). Patients’ experiences of flexor tendon rehabilitation in relation to adherence: A qualitative study. Disability and rehabilitation, 45(7), 1115-1123. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051081
Timurtas, M., & Mumcu, G. (2024). Acceptance of telerehabilitation among physiotherapists in Turkey and factors affecting acceptance: A cross-sectional analysis. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism, 9(2), 221-243.
Turolla, A., Rossettini, G., Viceconti, A., Palese, A., & Geri, T. (2020). Musculoskeletal physical therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: Is telerehabilitation the answer? Physical Therapy, 100(8), 1260–1264. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa093
Wewers, M. E., & Lowe, N. K. (1990). A critical review of visual analogue scales in the measurement of clinical phenomena. Research in Nursing and Health, 13(4), 227–236. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770130405
Yin, S., & Sun, X. (2022). Analysis of the effects of early rehabilitation treatment conducted by nurses on the prevention of tendon adhesion after finger flexor tendon rupture: A randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8284646
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Zerrin İzmirli Mete, Ferruh Taşpınar, Yasemin Özkan, Betül Taşpınar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
ISSN 1945-2020 (online)
