Tendon Injury

Research results from Groningen University update understanding of tissue engineering

"To determine whether motor imagery during the immobilization period after flexor tendon injury results in a faster recovery of central mechanisms of hand function. Randomized controlled trial. Tertiary referral hospital. Patients (N=28) after surgical flexor tendon repair were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Kinesthetic motor imagery of finger flexion movements during the postoperative dynamic splinting period. The central aspects of hand function were measured with a preparation time test of finger flexion in which subjects pressed buttons as fast as possible following a visual stimulus. Additionally, the following hand function modalities were recorded: Michigan Hand Questionnaire, visual analog scale for hand function, kinematic analysis of drawing, active total motion, and strength. After the immobilization period, the motor imagery group demonstrated significantly less increase of preparation time than the control group (P=.024). There was no significant influence of motor imagery on the other tested hand function (P >.05). All tests except kinematic analysis (P=.570) showed a significant improvement across time after the splinting period (P <=.00 1)," wrote M.W. Stenekes and colleagues, Groningen University.

The researchers concluded: "Motor imagery significantly improves central aspects of hand function, namely movement preparation time, while other modalities of hand function appear to be unaffected."

Stenekes and colleagues published their study in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Effects of Motor Imagery on Hand Function During Immobilization After Flexor Tendon Repair. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2009;90(4):553-559).

For more information, contact M.W. Stenekes, Groningen University Medical Center, Dept. of Plast Surgery, POB 30-001, NL-9700 RB Groningen, Netherlands.

Publisher contact information for the journal Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is: W B Saunders Co-Elsevier Inc., 1600 John F Kennedy Boulevard, Ste. 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2899, USA.

Keywords: Netherlands, Clinical Trial Research, Rehabilitation Research, Tendon Injury, Tissue Engineering, Groningen University.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.