Therapist supervised clinic-based therapy versus instruction in a home program following distal radius fracture: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: The primary purpose of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of a home program or a structured therapy program for patients following distal radius fracture.

Methods: A search was performed using terms wrist fracture, supervised therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, splint, orthosis, distal radius fracture, exercise, and home program. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated for research quality using The Structured Effectiveness for Quality Evaluation of Study (SEQES).

Results: Five of the seven trials found no difference between outcomes for their subjects that had uncomplicated distal radius fractures. The population that has complications following distal radius fractures was not represented in the studies reviewed.

Conclusion: The available evidence from randomized controlled trials is insufficient to support a home program or therapist supervised clinic-based program as a superior method of treatment for adults following a distal radius fracture without complications or the presence of comorbidities.

Keywords: Exercise; Fracture; Rehabilitation; Therapy.