New results of ReHand Telerehabilitation System in a clinical trial with 663 patients
The results demonstrated how the ReHand Digital Tool is most effective improving functional ability and reducing the number of referral visits in patients with musculoskeletal, bone and soft tissue injuries.
After years of clinical trials conducted in different hospitals of the Andalusian Public Health System, we have published the definitive results in the prestigious and high-impact journal Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Quite an achievement for the research and technical team that has worked hand in hand in this process!!
Wrist, Hand and Finger Injuries, a real pain for clinicians
Injuries and pathology associated with the wrist, hand and/or fingers, along with the associated costs, have constantly increased in recent years. These injuries account for 10-30% of all clinical presentations to the emergency department, and 28% of all musculoskeletal injuries.
Moreover, given the complexity of their biomechanics and therapeutic approach, it is difficult to provide a proper rehabilitation according to each patient. Exercise Therapy is a key intervention for pathologies such as wrist fractures, carpal tunnel release, finger fractures, surgeries of the hand, etc. However, being able to prescribe individualised exercise programmes adapted to each patient is unfeasible, given the high incidence of injuries in this segment.
In order to cover the huge number of patients suffering from these injuries, Telerehabilitation tools have emerged. The use of these digital devices allows the patient 1) to carry out their exercise programmes at home with affordable devices such as tablets, 2) to have a guide for the execution of their exercises, and 3) a correct telemonitoring by the therapist thanks to the technology.
Results in 663 patients, one of the MOST powerful trials in the Healthcare Sector
With a sample of 663 patients – among the strongest trials in our sector in european level – these results have demostrated earlier clinical recovery when patients were treated with ReHand compared to the conventional treatment. In addition, optimisation of hospital resource management was observed.
Specifically,
⬆️Increased functional recovery (+30%).
⬇️Increased pain reduction (-24%).
⬇️Lower referral rate (-41%), with the consequent impact on waiting lists.
⬇️9 fewer physiotherapy sessions.
⬇️2 fewer rehabilitation consultations.
These figures amounted to a total of € 670 in savings per patient.
“Patients with bone and soft tissue injuries of the hand, wrist and fingers clinically benefited from receiving a home exercise program through the ReHand software. These clinical improvements were accompanied by less consumption of healthcare resource.”
Suero-Pineda A et al 2023 Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
These results join our previous works published during 2020 in patients with soft tissue and bone injuries and in 2019 in patients after carpal tunnel release, where early recovery of function and grip strength of patients was also observed, and a consequent saving in hospital consults.
Why ReHand produces these results
The most current scientific evidence defenses the use of new technologies, and specifically mHealth and telerehabilitation devices, for the prescription of therapeutic exercise and the rehabilitation of injuries
ReHand is an interactive digital tool that include gamification of exercises. This feature enables patients to maintain their motivation with their treatment, and therefore promote adherence to the exercises programme. Whether or not a patient adhere to their stipulated therapeutic plan is an indicator of optimal recovery. In addition, ReHand also enables the healthcare proffesionals to constant monitor their patients evolution and adherence, which have been demostrated to further promote adherence to an exercise programme.
Also, ReHand allows a tailored adaptation and dosage for each patient. The digital tool adapts the exercise to the range of movement without pain, and secondly, the system’s internal algorithm allows each exercise to be adapted daily to the patient’s evolution. It is vital that an exercise programme is individualised and adapted to each case in order to obtain optimal results.
In addition, performing exercises by touching the screen of a tablet, as ReHand app, promotes a direct impact on the Sensorimotor System. Musculoskeletal injuries not only have implications in the injured region, but can also involve the Central Nervous System itself, blurring the region associated with that segment. The use of this technological devices improves motor relearning and reorganisation of the sensorimotor cortex, which leads to early rehabilitation.
Learn how to Prescribe personalised therapeutic exercise programmes for your patients and monitor their evolution and adherence with ReHand.
Schedule a quick video call with our ReHand research team!
References
Suero-Pineda A, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Á, Durán MR, Sánchez-Laulhé PR, García-Frasquet MÁ, Blanquero J. Effectiveness of a Telerehabilitation Evidence-based Tablet App for Rehabilitation in Traumatic Bone and Soft-Tissue Injuries of the Hand, Wrist and Fingers. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Feb 7:S0003-9993(23)00091-6. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.01.016. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36758713.