The Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific Volume)
Background: Previous studies have shown that outcomes following a place and active hold (PAH) are... more Background: Previous studies have shown that outcomes following a place and active hold (PAH) are better than a passive flexion protocol after a two-strand core-suture repair of flexor tendons injuries in zone II. This study aims to determine the outcomes of a PAH protocol of flexor tendon rehabilitation following a four-strand core-suture plus an epitendinous suture repair of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) combined with a simple horizontal loop repair of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). Methods: This is a prospective study of patients with complete injury to both flexor tendons in zone II. All tendons were repaired with a simple horizontal loop for FDS and four-strand core-suture plus epitendinous suture for FDP. The PAH protocol was used postoperatively for 6 weeks. The outcome was evaluated using flexion contracture and total active motion (TAM), interpreted using Strickland criteria and categorised as excellent, good, fair and poor at 6 weeks and 3 months. The lin...
PURPOSE This study aimed to use Rasch analysis to test the content, scoring, and measurement prop... more PURPOSE This study aimed to use Rasch analysis to test the content, scoring, and measurement properties of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). METHODS MHQ scores from 196 patients with hand and wrist conditions were collected in an outpatient hand rehabilitation facility. Rasch analysis was conducted to assess the fit statistics of MHQ to confirm the scaling structure of disability subscales, and to identify differential item functioning. RESULTS The MHQ did not fit with the Rasch model (χ2 = 2376.78, df = 74, p < 0.001), and most thresholds of item responses were disordered. The original scoring algorithm derived from 5-point Likert response options was adjusted to 3-point Likert (10 items) and 4-point Likert (11 items) based on the visual inspection of the thresholds map. Differential item functioning was present in the revised scale based on the age, sex, and dominant hand. Only 3 revised subscales of the MHQ including activities daily living (one hand), aesthetics, and satisfaction showed acceptable fit to the Rasch model. Unidimensionality was achieved in all revised subscales. CONCLUSIONS The overall MHQ had a substantial misfit from the Rasch model. Despite efforts of item reduction and rescoring, we did not reach a satisfactory solution. This calls into question the validity of the statistical evaluations performed on this scale using the traditional scoring.Implications for rehabilitationThe MHQ was designed to measure different dimensions of pain and disability but demonstrates multiple measurement problems that undermine it use in present form.It is not appropriate to sum all 37 items of the MHQ into a single score.Three subscales of activities daily living (one hand), aesthetics, and satisfaction can provide unidimensional subscales scores with interval level scaling if scored with our proposed Rasch-based revised scoring.The 27-item version of the MHQ is shown to have strong psychometric properties for administration with patients with hand injuries; however, it requires further validation.
Clinical issue/s: Treatment approaches following mallet finger injuries can be varied based on it... more Clinical issue/s: Treatment approaches following mallet finger injuries can be varied based on its severity, from conservative with prolonged immobilization of the DIP joint in neutral or slight hyperextension to surgical interventions. Although use of prolonged immobilization with splinting is[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
Objective: Zone II flexor tendon injury of the hand is of the most challenging condition which re... more Objective: Zone II flexor tendon injury of the hand is of the most challenging condition which require vigorous rehabilitation treatment to gain an excellent outcome. In the mean while optimal outcome achievement, are not common, and patients experience a series of complications. In spite of using stronger[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
Clinical issue/s: Despite numerous studies, achieving the best outcome is challenging after flexo... more Clinical issue/s: Despite numerous studies, achieving the best outcome is challenging after flexor tendon repairs in zone 2. This study was done to test the hypothesis that immediate postoperative active mobilization will achieve similar outcomes to passive mobilization. Clinical reasoning:[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
PURPOSE To examine the associations between psychological factors (pain catastrophizing, pain-rel... more PURPOSE To examine the associations between psychological factors (pain catastrophizing, pain-related anxiety, and fear of pain) and level of pain and disability in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). METHODS One hundred and two patients with CRPS were recruited from tertiary care centers with the different upper limb injuries were evaluated for pain, disability, and psychological factors. Patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire, Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). The associations of pain and disability with presence of these behavioral and mental health factors were examined using bivariate and multivariable analyses. These models were adjusted for age, sex, injured dominant hand, and previous surgery. RESULTS A higher pain catastrophizing score (β = 0.55, p = 0.00) was associated with greater disability. A higher pain catastrophizing score (β = 0.35, p = 0.001) and female gender (β = 0.24, p = 0.01) were associated with greater pain at rest (PAR). A higher pain catastrophizing score and having a surgical history were associated with greater pain with movement (β = 0.25, p = 0.02). Scores of ≥18.5 in PCS, ≥57.5 on TSK, and ≥15.5 on DASS were associated with higher risk of experiencing pain and disability. CONCLUSIONS Pain catastrophizing, female sex, and surgical intervention are associated with poor outcomes. Physiologic, psychological factors, and treatment factors interact to influence outcomes. The results of this study further validate the associations of chronic pain and disability with pain catastrophizing in patients with CRPS. The novel finding of this study is introducing cut-off scores for TSK, PCS, and DASS as a screening tool to predict pain, functional limitations.Implication for rehabilitationPain catastrophizing has a vital role in the magnitude of disability and pain in patients with CRPS.The novel finding of this paper was the cut-off scores on the psychological evaluations that can enable using them as screening tool for bad outcomes in patients with CRPS.Cut off scores from different psychological evaluations can be used as a yellow flag for clinician's for detecting patients with increased risk of pain and disability.The identification of a cut-off can also have implications for implementing change in clinical practice by identifying the need for early and intensive interventions.
Background: The fast-evolving pandemic of COVID-19 has forced clinicians to implement tele-health... more Background: The fast-evolving pandemic of COVID-19 has forced clinicians to implement tele-health strategies in their routine practice. Social media provides unprecedented opportunities to transfer educational, monitoring, and individualizing data to the target populations. There have been numerous efforts on social media to use telerehabilitation approaches for patients and therapists. Question/purpose :The purpose of this study was to explore and analysis the trend that hand therapists used for tele-rehabilitation approaches during the lock dawn period in Iran. Methods :Scraping method was used to map out the tele-rehabilitation strategies that Iranian therapists have implemented for the hand and upper extremity injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele rehabilitation method was searched by relevant hashtags and direct contact with therapists. Extracted data were described and categorized by content analysis and thematic coding. Results: During lock dawn period, 27 records from ...
Background: Psychological factors have been consistent predictors of recovery following musculosk... more Background: Psychological factors have been consistent predictors of recovery following musculoskeletal injuries. The Traumatic Injuries Distress Scale (TIDS) is a risk-based prognostic screening tool that has been developed for predicting recovery from acute musculoskeletal trauma. The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the TIDS to Persian. Methods: The forward-backward translation technique was used to translate the TIDS from English to Persian. The final version was obtained by consensus with the translation committee. Cognitive interviews were used to evaluate lingual accuracy and cultural or contextual appropriateness. 13 participants completed cognitive interviews based on talk-aloud and probing to explore individual items. Results: Participants (age range 22-58) had no problems in questions two, six, eight, and 11. Participants identified potential issues in 4/6 areas of a cognitive interview coding system: comprehension/clarity, inadequate resp...
Background: The ID-Pain questionnaire (IDPQ) is one of the recommended tools by the Neuropathic P... more Background: The ID-Pain questionnaire (IDPQ) is one of the recommended tools by the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the IASP for neuropathic pain screening. The aim of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Persian version of the IDPQ. Methods: First, translation of the IDPQ was conducted based on the recommended guidelines. Then, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), construct validity (compared to DN4 questionnaire), and discriminant validity (Receiver operating curve analysis) of the IDPQ-P were evaluated. A total of 90 patients with neuropathic (n=50) and nociceptive pain (n=40) were enrolled in the study. In the next 72 hours after the initial assessment, 30 patients (15 with neuropathic and 15 with nociceptive pain) completed the IDPQ-P. Results: No modification was needed in the process of translation and cultural adaptation. Cronbach’s alpha for all patients was 0.47, i...
Background: Disability following hand and upper extremity conditions is common. Patient-reported ... more Background: Disability following hand and upper extremity conditions is common. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) are used to capture patients’ status subjectively. This review has aimed to synthesis the literature regarding the extent and methodological quality of translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the hand and upper extremity disability PROs in the Persian language. Methods: Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psychinfo, Scopus, ISI, Science direct, and Google Scholar) were searched until May 2020. Studies reporting cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties testing of the Persian validated disability PROs of the hand and upper extremity were identified. We appraised the eligible studies using Guidelines for the Process of Cross-cultural Adaptation of Self-report Measures and COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) risk of bias checklist. Results: Out of 98 identified reco...
Purpose: To evaluate the longitudinal validity and responsiveness of the Persian version of Patie... more Purpose: To evaluate the longitudinal validity and responsiveness of the Persian version of Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). Methods: Sixty-four patients with LET completed the PRTEE, DASH, and Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC) at baseline and six weeks. The external and internal responsiveness, floor and ceiling effects, minimal detectable change (MDC) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) were calculated. Results: No ceiling and floor effects were detected for either the PRTEE or DASH. External responsiveness as an indicator to detect the relationship between change in the measured and external indicator of change was acceptable for both, but higher for the PRTEE (AUC ¼ 0.90; CI: 0.83-0.97) vs. DASH (AUC ¼ 0.80; CI: 69-90). Internal responsiveness to detect intervention related changes indicated slightly superiority in responsiveness for PRTEE. The relative efficiency (1.21), standard effect size (1.14 PRTEE vs. 1.03 DASH), and standard response mean (1.34 PRTEE vs. 1.10 DASH). The MDC were 11 and 12, and MCID were 20 and 18 for the PRTEE and DASH, respectively. Conclusions: Both the DASH and PRTEE were responsive in detecting improvement in patients with LET. The PRTEE was shorter, more efficient, and slightly more responsive which supports its use as a core outcome measure in evaluating patients with LET. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) compared with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) is a shorter questionnaire with higher psychometric and clinimetric properties for evaluating the patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy. This supports the use of the PRTEE in evaluating patients with elbow tendinopathy.
BACKGROUND The evidence indicating presence of psychological factors concerns in individuals who ... more BACKGROUND The evidence indicating presence of psychological factors concerns in individuals who report persistent residual pain and disability over a longer term after distal radius fractures (DRF) is emerging but requires further inquiry. OBJECTIVES To examine the associations of persistent wrist pain and disability at 6-months after DRF with the presence of psychological factors. METHODS Eighty-five patients with DRF were evaluated for wrist pain and disability with subscales of Patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE), 6-months after the fracture. The associations of wrist pain and disability with these psychological factors at 6-months after DRF were examined using multivariable logistic regression models. The ability of PRWE scores at 6-months after DRF to accurately classify individuals with and without these psychological factors was examined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Higher PRWE-P scores were significantly associated with worse pain catastrophizing, having emotional distress, and fear of performing wrist movements. In addition, higher PRWE-F scores were also highly associated with worse pain catastrophizing, having emotional distress, and fear of performing wrist movements. The PRWE-P or PRWE-F Scores of ≥18/50 showed the best combination of sensitivity and specificity in identifying individuals with pain catastrophizing, emotional distress, and fear of performing wrist movements at 6-months after DRF (AUC values of ≥0.88). CONCLUSION The novel finding of this study is that scores of ≥18/50 PRWE-P or PRWEF can be used to screen for the presence of these psychological factors.
Background and Aim. Shoulder pain is second only to low back pain among costs associated with the... more Background and Aim. Shoulder pain is second only to low back pain among costs associated with the care of musculoskeletal disorders. Psychological factors, social factors, and mental health can contribute to shoulder pain and resulting functional disability. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the nature of the research that has integrated psychological assessment and treatment in the management of shoulder pain. Methods. A scoping review of research studies identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL and graduate theses identified using Google Scholar was conducted to determine studies and systematic reviews that addressed the management of psychological aspects of shoulder pain with or without neck pain. The search terms included psychological factors, anxiety, depression, catastrophic thinking, fear of movement, and psychological treatments. Two investigators screened study titles and abstracts. Data extraction, content analysis, and thematic coding focused on th...
Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2020
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Persian ve... more PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Persian version of the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ-P). METHODS We translated the NPQ to the Persian language based on the recommended guidelines. Measurement properties (internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), construct validity (compared to DN4 questionnaire), and discriminant ability (Receiver operating curve analysis)) of the NPQ-P were evaluated. A total of 101 patients were enrolled in the study. RESULTS No modification was needed in the translation and cultural adaptation process. High Cronbach's alpha (0.81) and ICC (0.94) supported good reliability of the NPQ-P. The correlation coefficient between the NPQ-P and DN-4 questionnaires was 0.42, indicated moderate construct validity of the NPQ-P. The NPQ-P demonstrated acceptable discriminant ability (AUC: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66-0.84)). A total score of -0.3 indicated the highest Youden index with a corresponding sensitivity of 0.84 and specificity of 0.64 for the NPQ-P. CONCLUSION The NPQ was successfully translated to the Persian language and indicated acceptable reliability, diagnostic accuracy, and discriminant ability. The NPQ-P can be used in a clinical setting adjunct to physical examinations and electrodiagnostic tests for a quick screening to distinguish between patients with neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONNeuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) can be used for a quick screening to discriminate between patients with neuropathic and nociceptive pain.Persian version of the NPQ (NPQ-P) is a reliable and accurate tool with acceptable discriminant ability.The NPQ-P should be used in clinical setting adjunct to physical examinations and electrodiagnostic tests.
PURPOSE To critically appraise, summarize, and synthesize the evidence on the psychometric, trans... more PURPOSE To critically appraise, summarize, and synthesize the evidence on the psychometric, translation and/or cross-cultural adaptation properties of the Patient-Rated Wrist (and Hand) Evaluation (PRWE/PRWHE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Four electronic databases were searched from 1998 to February 2021. Studies addressing psychometric, translation and/or cross-cultural adaptation properties were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality of the studies using the COSMIN checklist. Where possible, meta-analysis was conducted to pool the estimates of each measurement property. Otherwise, qualitative synthesis was conducted. The overall quality of evidence on each measurement property was provided using GRADE principles. RESULTS Forty-four studies were eligible for data extraction. The PRWE/PRWHE has been translated into 21 languages. The best factor structure was a one-dimensional construct with three unidimensional subscales. High-quality evidence supports very good structural and cross-cultural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, and hypothesis testing for construct validity against DASH in wrist and hand injuries. However, low-quality evidence supports acceptable responsiveness property. The minimal clinically important difference for the PRWE/PRWHE was 24 points for patient-level comparisons and 17 for groups. CONCLUSION High-quality evidence supports the use of PRWE/PRWHE as a reliable, valid, and structurally sound questionnaire to assess pain and disability in patients with various wrist and hand injuries. Registration code: CRD42020180250IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONSThe PRWE/PRWHE is a reliable and valid anatomical region-specific measure to assess pain and disability in patients with wrist and hand injuries.Each individual subscale of the PRWE/PRHWE (pain, specific activities, and usual activities) can be used separately as a measure of pain and disability.Change scores less than 9/100 in the total score, should be considered as measurement error, not real change. Changes in the total score between 17 and 24/100 could be assumed as the minimal clinically important change in the condition of patients over time. The PRWE/PRWHE is available in 21 different languages and has been successfully adapted into highly diverse cultures. This point could be considered as one of the merits of using PRWE/PRWHE in clinical settings in multi-lingual and multi-cultural countries, when clinicians need a psychometrically sound patient reported wrist/hand measure..
Background Removal of immobilization is a critical phase of distal radius fracture (DRF) rehabili... more Background Removal of immobilization is a critical phase of distal radius fracture (DRF) rehabilitation, typically occurring by 2 months post injury. This study examined the extent to which pain at rest (PAR), movement evoked pain (MEP), or the ratio between those (MEPR) assessed at 2-months after DRF predicts the occurrence of chronic pain or disability at 6- and 12-months after the injury. Methods This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study was done at the Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC), London, Ontario, Canada. A total of 229 patients with DRF (159 (69.4%) women) were included. Scores for the pain and function subscales of the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) were extracted for 2, 6 and 12 months after DRF. Logistic as well as nonlinear quartile regression examined whether PAR and MEP predicted the severity of chronic pain and disability at 6- and 12-months after DRF. Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve were plotted, where area under the curve (AUC) examine...
Flexion contractures of the Proximal Interphalangeal joint are the most frequent complications re... more Flexion contractures of the Proximal Interphalangeal joint are the most frequent complications resulting from surgical procedures and traumatic events. Orthotic interventions for the treatment of contractures may include serial splinting, serial casting, dynamic or static progressive orthoses, or a combination of these orthoses. This study aimed to determine the effects of serial casting methods using thermoplastic tape in the Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion contracture treatment. Methods: Thirty-one patients with flexion contracture of the PIP joint (mean: 32.5°, range: 10-65°) were treated by serial casting method using thermoplastic tape. Flexion contracture, total active motion, extension lag and flexion gap were evaluated in the first session. The affected joint was casted after hand therapy interventions. Patients were requested to visit the clinic every other day for recasting and receiving exercises. Results: After one month, the mean range of flexion contracture decreased from 32.5° to 10.7°. The mean range of flexion gap decreased from 3.2 cm to 1.8 cm. The mean range of extension lag decreased from 2.04 cm to 0.86 cm, and the mean range of total active motion increased from 81.67° to 128.81°. All of the aforementioned changes were statically significant (P<0.05). Discussion: The use of thermoplastic tape for serial casting is an effective and reliable method for the treatment of PIP joint flexion contracture.
The Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific Volume)
Background: Previous studies have shown that outcomes following a place and active hold (PAH) are... more Background: Previous studies have shown that outcomes following a place and active hold (PAH) are better than a passive flexion protocol after a two-strand core-suture repair of flexor tendons injuries in zone II. This study aims to determine the outcomes of a PAH protocol of flexor tendon rehabilitation following a four-strand core-suture plus an epitendinous suture repair of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) combined with a simple horizontal loop repair of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). Methods: This is a prospective study of patients with complete injury to both flexor tendons in zone II. All tendons were repaired with a simple horizontal loop for FDS and four-strand core-suture plus epitendinous suture for FDP. The PAH protocol was used postoperatively for 6 weeks. The outcome was evaluated using flexion contracture and total active motion (TAM), interpreted using Strickland criteria and categorised as excellent, good, fair and poor at 6 weeks and 3 months. The lin...
PURPOSE This study aimed to use Rasch analysis to test the content, scoring, and measurement prop... more PURPOSE This study aimed to use Rasch analysis to test the content, scoring, and measurement properties of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). METHODS MHQ scores from 196 patients with hand and wrist conditions were collected in an outpatient hand rehabilitation facility. Rasch analysis was conducted to assess the fit statistics of MHQ to confirm the scaling structure of disability subscales, and to identify differential item functioning. RESULTS The MHQ did not fit with the Rasch model (χ2 = 2376.78, df = 74, p < 0.001), and most thresholds of item responses were disordered. The original scoring algorithm derived from 5-point Likert response options was adjusted to 3-point Likert (10 items) and 4-point Likert (11 items) based on the visual inspection of the thresholds map. Differential item functioning was present in the revised scale based on the age, sex, and dominant hand. Only 3 revised subscales of the MHQ including activities daily living (one hand), aesthetics, and satisfaction showed acceptable fit to the Rasch model. Unidimensionality was achieved in all revised subscales. CONCLUSIONS The overall MHQ had a substantial misfit from the Rasch model. Despite efforts of item reduction and rescoring, we did not reach a satisfactory solution. This calls into question the validity of the statistical evaluations performed on this scale using the traditional scoring.Implications for rehabilitationThe MHQ was designed to measure different dimensions of pain and disability but demonstrates multiple measurement problems that undermine it use in present form.It is not appropriate to sum all 37 items of the MHQ into a single score.Three subscales of activities daily living (one hand), aesthetics, and satisfaction can provide unidimensional subscales scores with interval level scaling if scored with our proposed Rasch-based revised scoring.The 27-item version of the MHQ is shown to have strong psychometric properties for administration with patients with hand injuries; however, it requires further validation.
Clinical issue/s: Treatment approaches following mallet finger injuries can be varied based on it... more Clinical issue/s: Treatment approaches following mallet finger injuries can be varied based on its severity, from conservative with prolonged immobilization of the DIP joint in neutral or slight hyperextension to surgical interventions. Although use of prolonged immobilization with splinting is[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
Objective: Zone II flexor tendon injury of the hand is of the most challenging condition which re... more Objective: Zone II flexor tendon injury of the hand is of the most challenging condition which require vigorous rehabilitation treatment to gain an excellent outcome. In the mean while optimal outcome achievement, are not common, and patients experience a series of complications. In spite of using stronger[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
Clinical issue/s: Despite numerous studies, achieving the best outcome is challenging after flexo... more Clinical issue/s: Despite numerous studies, achieving the best outcome is challenging after flexor tendon repairs in zone 2. This study was done to test the hypothesis that immediate postoperative active mobilization will achieve similar outcomes to passive mobilization. Clinical reasoning:[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]
PURPOSE To examine the associations between psychological factors (pain catastrophizing, pain-rel... more PURPOSE To examine the associations between psychological factors (pain catastrophizing, pain-related anxiety, and fear of pain) and level of pain and disability in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). METHODS One hundred and two patients with CRPS were recruited from tertiary care centers with the different upper limb injuries were evaluated for pain, disability, and psychological factors. Patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire, Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). The associations of pain and disability with presence of these behavioral and mental health factors were examined using bivariate and multivariable analyses. These models were adjusted for age, sex, injured dominant hand, and previous surgery. RESULTS A higher pain catastrophizing score (β = 0.55, p = 0.00) was associated with greater disability. A higher pain catastrophizing score (β = 0.35, p = 0.001) and female gender (β = 0.24, p = 0.01) were associated with greater pain at rest (PAR). A higher pain catastrophizing score and having a surgical history were associated with greater pain with movement (β = 0.25, p = 0.02). Scores of ≥18.5 in PCS, ≥57.5 on TSK, and ≥15.5 on DASS were associated with higher risk of experiencing pain and disability. CONCLUSIONS Pain catastrophizing, female sex, and surgical intervention are associated with poor outcomes. Physiologic, psychological factors, and treatment factors interact to influence outcomes. The results of this study further validate the associations of chronic pain and disability with pain catastrophizing in patients with CRPS. The novel finding of this study is introducing cut-off scores for TSK, PCS, and DASS as a screening tool to predict pain, functional limitations.Implication for rehabilitationPain catastrophizing has a vital role in the magnitude of disability and pain in patients with CRPS.The novel finding of this paper was the cut-off scores on the psychological evaluations that can enable using them as screening tool for bad outcomes in patients with CRPS.Cut off scores from different psychological evaluations can be used as a yellow flag for clinician's for detecting patients with increased risk of pain and disability.The identification of a cut-off can also have implications for implementing change in clinical practice by identifying the need for early and intensive interventions.
Background: The fast-evolving pandemic of COVID-19 has forced clinicians to implement tele-health... more Background: The fast-evolving pandemic of COVID-19 has forced clinicians to implement tele-health strategies in their routine practice. Social media provides unprecedented opportunities to transfer educational, monitoring, and individualizing data to the target populations. There have been numerous efforts on social media to use telerehabilitation approaches for patients and therapists. Question/purpose :The purpose of this study was to explore and analysis the trend that hand therapists used for tele-rehabilitation approaches during the lock dawn period in Iran. Methods :Scraping method was used to map out the tele-rehabilitation strategies that Iranian therapists have implemented for the hand and upper extremity injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele rehabilitation method was searched by relevant hashtags and direct contact with therapists. Extracted data were described and categorized by content analysis and thematic coding. Results: During lock dawn period, 27 records from ...
Background: Psychological factors have been consistent predictors of recovery following musculosk... more Background: Psychological factors have been consistent predictors of recovery following musculoskeletal injuries. The Traumatic Injuries Distress Scale (TIDS) is a risk-based prognostic screening tool that has been developed for predicting recovery from acute musculoskeletal trauma. The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the TIDS to Persian. Methods: The forward-backward translation technique was used to translate the TIDS from English to Persian. The final version was obtained by consensus with the translation committee. Cognitive interviews were used to evaluate lingual accuracy and cultural or contextual appropriateness. 13 participants completed cognitive interviews based on talk-aloud and probing to explore individual items. Results: Participants (age range 22-58) had no problems in questions two, six, eight, and 11. Participants identified potential issues in 4/6 areas of a cognitive interview coding system: comprehension/clarity, inadequate resp...
Background: The ID-Pain questionnaire (IDPQ) is one of the recommended tools by the Neuropathic P... more Background: The ID-Pain questionnaire (IDPQ) is one of the recommended tools by the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the IASP for neuropathic pain screening. The aim of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Persian version of the IDPQ. Methods: First, translation of the IDPQ was conducted based on the recommended guidelines. Then, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), construct validity (compared to DN4 questionnaire), and discriminant validity (Receiver operating curve analysis) of the IDPQ-P were evaluated. A total of 90 patients with neuropathic (n=50) and nociceptive pain (n=40) were enrolled in the study. In the next 72 hours after the initial assessment, 30 patients (15 with neuropathic and 15 with nociceptive pain) completed the IDPQ-P. Results: No modification was needed in the process of translation and cultural adaptation. Cronbach’s alpha for all patients was 0.47, i...
Background: Disability following hand and upper extremity conditions is common. Patient-reported ... more Background: Disability following hand and upper extremity conditions is common. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) are used to capture patients’ status subjectively. This review has aimed to synthesis the literature regarding the extent and methodological quality of translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the hand and upper extremity disability PROs in the Persian language. Methods: Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psychinfo, Scopus, ISI, Science direct, and Google Scholar) were searched until May 2020. Studies reporting cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties testing of the Persian validated disability PROs of the hand and upper extremity were identified. We appraised the eligible studies using Guidelines for the Process of Cross-cultural Adaptation of Self-report Measures and COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) risk of bias checklist. Results: Out of 98 identified reco...
Purpose: To evaluate the longitudinal validity and responsiveness of the Persian version of Patie... more Purpose: To evaluate the longitudinal validity and responsiveness of the Persian version of Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). Methods: Sixty-four patients with LET completed the PRTEE, DASH, and Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC) at baseline and six weeks. The external and internal responsiveness, floor and ceiling effects, minimal detectable change (MDC) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) were calculated. Results: No ceiling and floor effects were detected for either the PRTEE or DASH. External responsiveness as an indicator to detect the relationship between change in the measured and external indicator of change was acceptable for both, but higher for the PRTEE (AUC ¼ 0.90; CI: 0.83-0.97) vs. DASH (AUC ¼ 0.80; CI: 69-90). Internal responsiveness to detect intervention related changes indicated slightly superiority in responsiveness for PRTEE. The relative efficiency (1.21), standard effect size (1.14 PRTEE vs. 1.03 DASH), and standard response mean (1.34 PRTEE vs. 1.10 DASH). The MDC were 11 and 12, and MCID were 20 and 18 for the PRTEE and DASH, respectively. Conclusions: Both the DASH and PRTEE were responsive in detecting improvement in patients with LET. The PRTEE was shorter, more efficient, and slightly more responsive which supports its use as a core outcome measure in evaluating patients with LET. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) compared with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) is a shorter questionnaire with higher psychometric and clinimetric properties for evaluating the patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy. This supports the use of the PRTEE in evaluating patients with elbow tendinopathy.
BACKGROUND The evidence indicating presence of psychological factors concerns in individuals who ... more BACKGROUND The evidence indicating presence of psychological factors concerns in individuals who report persistent residual pain and disability over a longer term after distal radius fractures (DRF) is emerging but requires further inquiry. OBJECTIVES To examine the associations of persistent wrist pain and disability at 6-months after DRF with the presence of psychological factors. METHODS Eighty-five patients with DRF were evaluated for wrist pain and disability with subscales of Patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE), 6-months after the fracture. The associations of wrist pain and disability with these psychological factors at 6-months after DRF were examined using multivariable logistic regression models. The ability of PRWE scores at 6-months after DRF to accurately classify individuals with and without these psychological factors was examined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Higher PRWE-P scores were significantly associated with worse pain catastrophizing, having emotional distress, and fear of performing wrist movements. In addition, higher PRWE-F scores were also highly associated with worse pain catastrophizing, having emotional distress, and fear of performing wrist movements. The PRWE-P or PRWE-F Scores of ≥18/50 showed the best combination of sensitivity and specificity in identifying individuals with pain catastrophizing, emotional distress, and fear of performing wrist movements at 6-months after DRF (AUC values of ≥0.88). CONCLUSION The novel finding of this study is that scores of ≥18/50 PRWE-P or PRWEF can be used to screen for the presence of these psychological factors.
Background and Aim. Shoulder pain is second only to low back pain among costs associated with the... more Background and Aim. Shoulder pain is second only to low back pain among costs associated with the care of musculoskeletal disorders. Psychological factors, social factors, and mental health can contribute to shoulder pain and resulting functional disability. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the nature of the research that has integrated psychological assessment and treatment in the management of shoulder pain. Methods. A scoping review of research studies identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL and graduate theses identified using Google Scholar was conducted to determine studies and systematic reviews that addressed the management of psychological aspects of shoulder pain with or without neck pain. The search terms included psychological factors, anxiety, depression, catastrophic thinking, fear of movement, and psychological treatments. Two investigators screened study titles and abstracts. Data extraction, content analysis, and thematic coding focused on th...
Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2020
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Persian ve... more PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Persian version of the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ-P). METHODS We translated the NPQ to the Persian language based on the recommended guidelines. Measurement properties (internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), construct validity (compared to DN4 questionnaire), and discriminant ability (Receiver operating curve analysis)) of the NPQ-P were evaluated. A total of 101 patients were enrolled in the study. RESULTS No modification was needed in the translation and cultural adaptation process. High Cronbach's alpha (0.81) and ICC (0.94) supported good reliability of the NPQ-P. The correlation coefficient between the NPQ-P and DN-4 questionnaires was 0.42, indicated moderate construct validity of the NPQ-P. The NPQ-P demonstrated acceptable discriminant ability (AUC: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66-0.84)). A total score of -0.3 indicated the highest Youden index with a corresponding sensitivity of 0.84 and specificity of 0.64 for the NPQ-P. CONCLUSION The NPQ was successfully translated to the Persian language and indicated acceptable reliability, diagnostic accuracy, and discriminant ability. The NPQ-P can be used in a clinical setting adjunct to physical examinations and electrodiagnostic tests for a quick screening to distinguish between patients with neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONNeuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) can be used for a quick screening to discriminate between patients with neuropathic and nociceptive pain.Persian version of the NPQ (NPQ-P) is a reliable and accurate tool with acceptable discriminant ability.The NPQ-P should be used in clinical setting adjunct to physical examinations and electrodiagnostic tests.
PURPOSE To critically appraise, summarize, and synthesize the evidence on the psychometric, trans... more PURPOSE To critically appraise, summarize, and synthesize the evidence on the psychometric, translation and/or cross-cultural adaptation properties of the Patient-Rated Wrist (and Hand) Evaluation (PRWE/PRWHE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Four electronic databases were searched from 1998 to February 2021. Studies addressing psychometric, translation and/or cross-cultural adaptation properties were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed methodological quality of the studies using the COSMIN checklist. Where possible, meta-analysis was conducted to pool the estimates of each measurement property. Otherwise, qualitative synthesis was conducted. The overall quality of evidence on each measurement property was provided using GRADE principles. RESULTS Forty-four studies were eligible for data extraction. The PRWE/PRWHE has been translated into 21 languages. The best factor structure was a one-dimensional construct with three unidimensional subscales. High-quality evidence supports very good structural and cross-cultural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, and hypothesis testing for construct validity against DASH in wrist and hand injuries. However, low-quality evidence supports acceptable responsiveness property. The minimal clinically important difference for the PRWE/PRWHE was 24 points for patient-level comparisons and 17 for groups. CONCLUSION High-quality evidence supports the use of PRWE/PRWHE as a reliable, valid, and structurally sound questionnaire to assess pain and disability in patients with various wrist and hand injuries. Registration code: CRD42020180250IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONSThe PRWE/PRWHE is a reliable and valid anatomical region-specific measure to assess pain and disability in patients with wrist and hand injuries.Each individual subscale of the PRWE/PRHWE (pain, specific activities, and usual activities) can be used separately as a measure of pain and disability.Change scores less than 9/100 in the total score, should be considered as measurement error, not real change. Changes in the total score between 17 and 24/100 could be assumed as the minimal clinically important change in the condition of patients over time. The PRWE/PRWHE is available in 21 different languages and has been successfully adapted into highly diverse cultures. This point could be considered as one of the merits of using PRWE/PRWHE in clinical settings in multi-lingual and multi-cultural countries, when clinicians need a psychometrically sound patient reported wrist/hand measure..
Background Removal of immobilization is a critical phase of distal radius fracture (DRF) rehabili... more Background Removal of immobilization is a critical phase of distal radius fracture (DRF) rehabilitation, typically occurring by 2 months post injury. This study examined the extent to which pain at rest (PAR), movement evoked pain (MEP), or the ratio between those (MEPR) assessed at 2-months after DRF predicts the occurrence of chronic pain or disability at 6- and 12-months after the injury. Methods This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study was done at the Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC), London, Ontario, Canada. A total of 229 patients with DRF (159 (69.4%) women) were included. Scores for the pain and function subscales of the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) were extracted for 2, 6 and 12 months after DRF. Logistic as well as nonlinear quartile regression examined whether PAR and MEP predicted the severity of chronic pain and disability at 6- and 12-months after DRF. Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve were plotted, where area under the curve (AUC) examine...
Flexion contractures of the Proximal Interphalangeal joint are the most frequent complications re... more Flexion contractures of the Proximal Interphalangeal joint are the most frequent complications resulting from surgical procedures and traumatic events. Orthotic interventions for the treatment of contractures may include serial splinting, serial casting, dynamic or static progressive orthoses, or a combination of these orthoses. This study aimed to determine the effects of serial casting methods using thermoplastic tape in the Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion contracture treatment. Methods: Thirty-one patients with flexion contracture of the PIP joint (mean: 32.5°, range: 10-65°) were treated by serial casting method using thermoplastic tape. Flexion contracture, total active motion, extension lag and flexion gap were evaluated in the first session. The affected joint was casted after hand therapy interventions. Patients were requested to visit the clinic every other day for recasting and receiving exercises. Results: After one month, the mean range of flexion contracture decreased from 32.5° to 10.7°. The mean range of flexion gap decreased from 3.2 cm to 1.8 cm. The mean range of extension lag decreased from 2.04 cm to 0.86 cm, and the mean range of total active motion increased from 81.67° to 128.81°. All of the aforementioned changes were statically significant (P<0.05). Discussion: The use of thermoplastic tape for serial casting is an effective and reliable method for the treatment of PIP joint flexion contracture.
Uploads
Papers by Erfan Shafiee