Effect of electromyographic biofeedback training on functional status in zone I-III flexor tendon injuries: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Background

Despite advances in hand therapy and surgery, functional deficits persist after flexor tendon repair especially in zone I–III. This suggests that methods applied may be insufficient. Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback may provide an effective tendon gliding through visual and auditory feedback.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of EMG biofeedback training applied in addition to early passive motion protocol on functional status in zone I–III flexor tendon injuries.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned into two groups, each consisted of 11 patients. In addition to early passive motion method, EMG biofeedback training was applied in the first group. The second group was followed only with early passive motion protocol. Joint range of motion (ROM), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and grip strength were evaluated.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the ROM, MHQ scores and grip strength (p ≥ .087). However, there were clinically important differences in the results of the 12th week ROM (effect size = 0.70), 24th week activity of daily living (ADL) score in MHQ (effect size = 0.68), 12th week gross, tip pinch and lateral grip strength (effect sizes = 0.59, 0.52, 0.81, respectively) and 24th week gross, tip pinch and lateral grip strength (effect sizes = 0.69, 0.73, 0.69, respectively) between the two groups.

Conclusions

EMG biofeedback training was clinically but not statistically superior to early passive motion method in terms of the effect on functional status.

KEYWORDS:

• Flexor tendon repair
• hand therapy
• EMG biofeedback

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.