Action Observation and Motor Imagery During Hand Immobilization Period Accelerate Motor and Functional Recovery in Patients With Surgical Fixation for Distal Radial Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

40 patients who underwent surgical fixation for distal radius fractures (DRF) were randomized to receive action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) training during postoperative immobilization or standard care alone. The primary outcome of interest was manual dexterity assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT). Secondary outcomes included active range of motion (ROM), grip strength, pinch strength, and hand function assessed using the Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE). Outcomes were assessed at 4 weeks, 9 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. Overall, the results of the study revealed that combined AO and MI training (AOMI) significantly improved manual dexterity, pain, and hand function at 9 weeks compared with standard care, while grip and pinch strength were greater immediately after immobilization. However, these between-group advantages were not sustained at 6 months. These findings suggested that AOMI during immobilization accelerated early functional recovery following surgical fixation of DRF.