Effects of a Modified Hand Compression Bandage for Treatment of Post-Burn Hand Edemas

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a modified hand compression bandage in patients with a post-burn hand edema. METHODS: Patients were recruited from burn centers. We classified the patients into two groups: the modified hand compression bandage group comprising of 22 patients who had a modified hand compression bandage and received conventional physical therapy and the conventionally treated group, comprising of 20 patients who received only conventional physical therapy during the 4-week period post-burn. Hand circumference, hand skin thickness, and hand function were evaluated by grip strength, active range of motion (ROM), Jebsen hand function test, and visual analogue scale (VAS). These assessments were used to evaluate treatment effectiveness prior to the first treatment, 2 weeks after the first treatment, 4 weeks after the first treatment, and 4 months after the first treatment. RESULTS: As a result of repeated-measures analysis of variance on hand circumference, skin thickness, VAS, and each metacarpophalangeal joint ROM, we found significant differences that corresponded to time effect (p<0.05) and time×group (reciprocal action) effect (p<0.05). The results of grasp power, Jebsen hand function test, and each proximal interphalangeal joint ROM, show significant differences in accordance with the time effect (p<0.05), however, there was no reciprocal action effect (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The modified hand compression bandage will be clinically useful for the treatment of patients with post-burn hand edemas.