Distal radius fractures are common in the elderly population and clinical findings after treatment include limitation of joint motion, pain, and muscle weakness. Physical therapy modalities include exercises, physical agents, and manual therapy techniques. The Mulligan Concept-specific mobilization with movement (MWM) technique improves joint movement by reducing pain and is effective in musculoskeletal disorders. Graded motor imagery activates the motor system, increases neuroplasticity, and promotes functional recovery. It has been observed that proprioception is impaired after distal radius fracture, affecting muscle tone and postural reflexes. Our study will examine proprioception measurements with an electrogonometer (K Force Sens) and universal goniometer and the effectiveness of MWM and progressive motor imagery treatments. The study is designed as a one-blind randomized study and a total of 33 patients between the ages of 25-65 who were treated with volar plate screws after distal radius fracture will be included. Patients will be randomized as 11 people and one group will be treated with Mulligan Mobilisation in addition to conventional physiotherapy and the other group will be treated with Graded motor imagery techniques in addition to conventional physiotherapy. The control group will receive only conventional physiotherapy. Clinical Follow-up Form, Proprioception, Kinesiophobia, Hand Grip strength, Muscle strength, Pain, and functional evaluations will be performed 2 times in total, just before the patient starts physical therapy after surgery and at the end of the 6-week treatment. A goniometer and electrogoniometer will be used to measure proprioception. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and algometer will be used to determine the pain assessment. Jamar's hand grip strength meter and Digital Handheld Dynamometer will be used for muscle strength assessment. Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale will be used to measure the level of kinesiophobia. Patient Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) will be used to evaluate the functionality of the patients. Proprioception evaluation in the upper extremity is limited in the literature, and it will be an original study to examine the relationship between the two measurements after distal radius fracture surgery; in addition, it will be the first study to examine graded motor imagery and mulligan Mobilisation in terms of treatment efficacy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
33
Patients receive the standard physical therapy program only.
In addition to conventional therapy, Mobilization With Movement (MWM) techniques are applied, focusing on achieving pain-free motion. These techniques include lateral glides of the carpal row and wrist flexion/extension/supination movements, performed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions, and patients are taught self-mobilization.
This arm adds a three-phase protocol designed to target neuroplasticity. The protocol includes: Lateralization (right/left hand recognition), Explicit Motor Imagery (mental visualization of movement), and Mirror Therapy. The second phase is uniquely tracked via an internet-based platform for home exercises, which records response times and accuracy
Istanbul Aydın University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK)
The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) is a self-report measure developed to assess the fear of pain related to movement in patients with musculoskeletal pain. It consists of 17 questions designed to measure the fear of movement and re-injury. The scale utilizes a 4-point Likert scoring system (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree). The items are grouped into two distinct factors: activity avoidance and somatic focus. The TSK is commonly used in distal radius fracture cases to assess general fear of movement.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
Proprioception Assessment (Joint Position Sense)
Application in Your Study: In your project, this assessment will be performed using both a universal goniometer and an electrogoniometer (K Force Sens).The patient is asked to memorize a target angle (20 extension) and then actively reproduce it, with the difference between the target angle and the measured angle recorded as the degree of error.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
Pain Assessment
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Used to rate the severity of the patient's pain. It typically consists of a 100 mm line with two descriptors representing extreme pain intensity (e.g., no pain and worst possible pain) at either end. Patients mark their intensity on the line, and the score is measured as the distance from the "no pain" end.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Algometer (Baseline dolorimeter 66 pound) Used as an objective method to measure the pressure pain threshold on the patient's wrist. Measurements are recorded in kilograms (kg). The test is 10 seconds long with gradually increasing pressure. Assessment points include the lateral epicondyle, medial epicondyle, ulnar styloid, and radial head.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
Functionality & Disability
Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) Used to assess the patient's functionality. It is a subjective outcome measure consisting of 15 questions that determine the level of pain and disability in hand/wrist problems. It includes pain and function subscales, and sections for specific and daily activities. Total score is calculated out of 100, with a higher score indicating greater disability.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
Grip Strength (Gross)
Jamar Hand Dynamometer considered the gold standard for measuring hand grip strength, highly reliable, and recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). The measurement is taken in a standard position (seated, shoulder adducted/neutral rotation, elbow 90\^\\circ$ flexion, forearm mid-rotation/supported, wrist neutral). The average of 3 measurements, with 1-minute rests between each, is recorded.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
Specific Muscle Strength
Digital Handheld Dynamometer Used to evaluate the strength of the wrist flexor, extensor, ulnar, and radial deviation muscles. The device provides objective data and records measurements in kilograms (kg) over a 10-second resistance test.
Time frame: From the start of physiotherapy (approximately 6 weeks post-surgery) to the end of the 6-week treatment period.
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