The Short Term Effect of Hot Packs and Whirlpool for Increasing Total Active Motion at the Wrist

Western University, Canada

Status: Completed

Conditions: Distal Radius Fracture

Treatments: Procedure: Whirlpool; Procedure: Hot Pack

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02667405

6712

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the effect of hot packs versus whirlpool and exercise for patients with distal radius fracture (DRF). Patients with recently healed DRF are randomized into two groups, with one group receiving hot packs during therapy and the other immersing the arm in a whirlpool for 3 consecutive therapy visits. The effect of these modalities on range of motion and volume of the hand are evaluated, with measurements taking place before and immediately after heat during each visit.

Full description

This study investigates the short term effect of hot packs versus whirlpool and exercise for patients with distal radius fracture (DRF) during a therapy visit. Patients with recently healed DRF are randomized into two groups, with one group receiving hot packs during therapy and the other immersing the arm in a whirlpool for 3 consecutive therapy visits.

Measurements of wrist and forearm range of motion, and volume of the hand are recorded before and immediately after heat for each visit, effectively creating six measurement time points. Change scores are recorded for range of motion and for volume, and analyzed using MANOVA to determine differences between groups.

Enrollment: 61 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healed DRF,
• allowed to perform motion.

Exclusion criteria

• Complex regional pain syndrome,
• inability to read/understand english,
• inability to attend follow up sessions due to driving distance from clinic,
• Raynaud's phenomenon

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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61 participants in 2 patient groups

Whirlpool

Experimental group

Description:

Immersion in Whirlpool during therapy

Treatment:

Procedure: Whirlpool

Hot Pack

Active Comparator group

Description:

Hot Pack Application during therapy.

Treatment:

Procedure: Hot Pack