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Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Optimizing Function Following Radial Nerve Injury: A Case Report

Received: 27 July 2022    Accepted: 11 August 2022    Published: 24 August 2022
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Abstract

Background: Radial nerve injury can cause severe impairment due to paralysis of the wrist and finger extensors. Wrist drop is a hallmark feature of radial nerve injury. Various interventions are used for optimizing function. This case report uses virtual reality (PABLO tyro motion) to prove that such sensor-based rehabilitation can bring about better outcomes in current day clinical practice. Because radial nerve palsies improve over time with excellent prognosis, the current intervention used in the study was to facilitate and speed up the rehabilitation process due to decreased length of stay and time constraints of the subject staying long in the hospital. Objective: (1) To analyze the functional gain achieved from admission until discharge from hospital, thereby understanding the effect of virtual reality; (2) to understand the effectiveness of advanced technology such as virtual reality which can be used to facilitate function following nerve injuries. Method: We present a case of a 30-year old working male, who sustained radial nerve injury after a right humeral fracture, resulting from road traffic accident. A complete wrist drop was seen in the right hand, which was his dominant hand. This significantly affected his ability to independently perform activities of daily living (ADL) and engage in any other work-related activities. Results: Progressive recovery was seen following active rehabilitation, after an 8-week hospital stay. Improvements were seen in his abilities to perform ADL on the functional independence measure (FIM), improved muscle strength and active range of motion of the right hand, particularly wrist extensors, improved arm and hand function and decreased pain as measured by the outcome measures. Conclusion: Virtual reality can be used as an advanced treatment option for those with nerve injuries, even though there is spontaneous recovery over a period. This can be used to speed up the rehabilitation process to reduce length of stay and constraints in staying in the hospital.

Published in Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience (Volume 6, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13
Page(s) 45-49
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Wrist Drop, Radial Nerve Injury, Functional Independence Measure, PABLO Tyro Motion, Wrist Rehabilitation, Range of Motion, Muscle Power

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Thajus Asirvatham, Ajay Boppana, Prem Raj Isaac Chandran, Ibin Kariyathankavil, Sultan Salim Hammam Al Abdulla. (2022). Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Optimizing Function Following Radial Nerve Injury: A Case Report. Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience, 6(3), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13

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    ACS Style

    Thajus Asirvatham; Ajay Boppana; Prem Raj Isaac Chandran; Ibin Kariyathankavil; Sultan Salim Hammam Al Abdulla. Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Optimizing Function Following Radial Nerve Injury: A Case Report. Clin. Neurol. Neurosci. 2022, 6(3), 45-49. doi: 10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13

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    AMA Style

    Thajus Asirvatham, Ajay Boppana, Prem Raj Isaac Chandran, Ibin Kariyathankavil, Sultan Salim Hammam Al Abdulla. Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Optimizing Function Following Radial Nerve Injury: A Case Report. Clin Neurol Neurosci. 2022;6(3):45-49. doi: 10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13,
      author = {Thajus Asirvatham and Ajay Boppana and Prem Raj Isaac Chandran and Ibin Kariyathankavil and Sultan Salim Hammam Al Abdulla},
      title = {Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Optimizing Function Following Radial Nerve Injury: A Case Report},
      journal = {Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience},
      volume = {6},
      number = {3},
      pages = {45-49},
      doi = {10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cnn.20220603.13},
      abstract = {Background: Radial nerve injury can cause severe impairment due to paralysis of the wrist and finger extensors. Wrist drop is a hallmark feature of radial nerve injury. Various interventions are used for optimizing function. This case report uses virtual reality (PABLO tyro motion) to prove that such sensor-based rehabilitation can bring about better outcomes in current day clinical practice. Because radial nerve palsies improve over time with excellent prognosis, the current intervention used in the study was to facilitate and speed up the rehabilitation process due to decreased length of stay and time constraints of the subject staying long in the hospital. Objective: (1) To analyze the functional gain achieved from admission until discharge from hospital, thereby understanding the effect of virtual reality; (2) to understand the effectiveness of advanced technology such as virtual reality which can be used to facilitate function following nerve injuries. Method: We present a case of a 30-year old working male, who sustained radial nerve injury after a right humeral fracture, resulting from road traffic accident. A complete wrist drop was seen in the right hand, which was his dominant hand. This significantly affected his ability to independently perform activities of daily living (ADL) and engage in any other work-related activities. Results: Progressive recovery was seen following active rehabilitation, after an 8-week hospital stay. Improvements were seen in his abilities to perform ADL on the functional independence measure (FIM), improved muscle strength and active range of motion of the right hand, particularly wrist extensors, improved arm and hand function and decreased pain as measured by the outcome measures. Conclusion: Virtual reality can be used as an advanced treatment option for those with nerve injuries, even though there is spontaneous recovery over a period. This can be used to speed up the rehabilitation process to reduce length of stay and constraints in staying in the hospital.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Optimizing Function Following Radial Nerve Injury: A Case Report
    AU  - Thajus Asirvatham
    AU  - Ajay Boppana
    AU  - Prem Raj Isaac Chandran
    AU  - Ibin Kariyathankavil
    AU  - Sultan Salim Hammam Al Abdulla
    Y1  - 2022/08/24
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13
    T2  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
    JF  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
    JO  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
    SP  - 45
    EP  - 49
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-8930
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20220603.13
    AB  - Background: Radial nerve injury can cause severe impairment due to paralysis of the wrist and finger extensors. Wrist drop is a hallmark feature of radial nerve injury. Various interventions are used for optimizing function. This case report uses virtual reality (PABLO tyro motion) to prove that such sensor-based rehabilitation can bring about better outcomes in current day clinical practice. Because radial nerve palsies improve over time with excellent prognosis, the current intervention used in the study was to facilitate and speed up the rehabilitation process due to decreased length of stay and time constraints of the subject staying long in the hospital. Objective: (1) To analyze the functional gain achieved from admission until discharge from hospital, thereby understanding the effect of virtual reality; (2) to understand the effectiveness of advanced technology such as virtual reality which can be used to facilitate function following nerve injuries. Method: We present a case of a 30-year old working male, who sustained radial nerve injury after a right humeral fracture, resulting from road traffic accident. A complete wrist drop was seen in the right hand, which was his dominant hand. This significantly affected his ability to independently perform activities of daily living (ADL) and engage in any other work-related activities. Results: Progressive recovery was seen following active rehabilitation, after an 8-week hospital stay. Improvements were seen in his abilities to perform ADL on the functional independence measure (FIM), improved muscle strength and active range of motion of the right hand, particularly wrist extensors, improved arm and hand function and decreased pain as measured by the outcome measures. Conclusion: Virtual reality can be used as an advanced treatment option for those with nerve injuries, even though there is spontaneous recovery over a period. This can be used to speed up the rehabilitation process to reduce length of stay and constraints in staying in the hospital.
    VL  - 6
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Occupational Therapy, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

  • Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

  • Department of Occupational Therapy, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

  • Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

  • Department of Occupational Therapy, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

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