Occupational Therapy Intervention in Combination Flexor Tendon and Peripheral Nerve Injury 10 Patients with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand

Objectives: Measuring outcomes of intervention is one of the most important components of occupational therapy process. The Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to measure outcomes of the occupational therapy services in the area of hand therapy. The study aims to measure outcomes from interventions of hand therapy in patients with the combined flexor tendon and peripheral nerve injuries in hand. Methods: In this cross sectional study, the Persian version of DASH questionnaire was filled by 20 patients with the combined flexor tendon and peripheral nerve injuries (17 males and 3 females with the age range of 18-58 years) referred to Asma Rehabilitation Center and it was reported that there was a relationship between variables of age, gender, literacy and accurate diagnosis (injured flexor tendon and peripheral nerve) with score calculated in DASH questionnaire. Results: According to the variables of age, sex, education level and accurate diagnosis, patients showed that according to the DASH in calculating the mean score of questionnaire, the rate of individual's disability is reduced by increasing age, women show more disability in work performances, the individual's music and sport performances indicate more disability by increasing the educational level and finally, individuals with the combined finger flexor and ulnar nerve have the higher rate of disabilities. Discussion: patients with the combined flexor tendon and peripheral nerve injuries experience many disabilities even after surgery and rehabilitation.

Occupational Therapy Intervention in Combination Flexor Tendon and Peripheral Nerve Injury 10 Patients with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Keywords:

Combined flexor tendon , Peripheral nerve injury , DASH questionnaire , Hand therapy , Outcome measure