Cross-education for improving strength and mobility after distal radius fractures: a randomized controlled trial

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Fifty-one women, older than 50 years of age, with a unilateral distal radius fracture were randomized to standard rehabilitation or standard rehabilitation plus cross education strength training to compare training effects on strength and mobility of the fractured limb. Cross-education is a term for neural adaptation defined by increased strength or functional performance of the affected limb after unilateral training of the contralateral unaffected limb. The fractured hand demonstrated significantly better hand grip peak force strength and range of motion at wrist flexion/extension than the control at 12 weeks. No differences were seen by 26 weeks in peak force strength, ROM (flexion/extension; supination/pronation) or in Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaires.