OBJECTIVETo survey the curative effects of kinesitherapy in combination with self-made simple orthosis (SO) in treatment of scar contracture of burned hand in children.

METHODSFifty-eight children with burns of unilateral hand and received treatment in our rehabilitation center from January 2012 to January 2014 were divided into common rehabilitation (CR) and SO groups according to the random number table, with 29 cases in each group. After the wounds were healed, patients in group CR were treated with kinesitherapy combined with hand game exercises and pressure gloves, while patients in group SO were treated with kinesitherapy combined with hand game exercises and self-made SO, which was composed of finger web dividing belt, self-adhesive bandage, and infusion set fixing plate. Before treatment and 16 weeks after treatment, scar condition was assessed with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS); hand function was evaluated by the Jebsen Test of Hand Function, and the completion time was recorded; and the activities of daily life (ADL) was measured by the modified Barthel Index. Sixteen weeks after treatment, the range of motion was measured with the Total Active Movement (TAM) method. Data were processed with t test and chi-square test.

RESULTSThe score of VSS in group SO was (12.2 ± 1.3) points before treatment and (6.7 ± 2.2) points 16 weeks after treatment, and the improvement score was (5.6 ± 1.8) points. The score of VSS in group CR was (12.0 ± 1.4) points before treatment and (7.0 ± 1.8) points 16 weeks after treatment, and the improvement score was (5.0 ± 1.0) points. There was no obvious difference in improvement score of VSS between the two groups (t = 1.452, P = 0.152). The ratio of excellent and good results according to TAM method in group SO was 75.9% (22/29) , while it was 37.9% (11/29) in group CR (t = 8.507, P = 0.004). The completion time for the Jebsen Test of group OS was (8.2 ± 1.6) min before treatment and (7.1 ± 1.4) min after treatment, and the improvement time was (1.2 ± 1.5) min. The completion time for the Jebsen Test of group CR was (9.0 ± 1.9) min before treatment and (6.3 ± 1.4) min 16 weeks after treatment, and the improvement time was (2.7 ± 2.7) min. There was a significant difference in improvement time for the Jebsen Test between the two groups (t = 2.618, P = 0.012). The score of ADL in group CR was (7.7 ± 1.4) points before treatment and (10.4 ± 1.4) points 16 weeks after treatment, and the improvement score was (2.7 ± 1.7) points. The score of ADL in group CR was (7.8 ± 1.4) points before treatment and (9.5 ± 1.4) points 16 weeks after treatment, and the improvement score was (1.7 ± 1.6) points. There was a significant difference in improvement score of ADL between the two groups (t = 2.246, P = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONSKinesitherapy in combination with self-made SO can improve the functional recovery of burned hand in children and prevent contractures in hand, and it is worth applying generally.