Comparison of the effect of Range of Motion exercises versus stretching techniques in prevention of burn contractures of upper limb; RCT- A Randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Burn is an injury which affects approximately all systems of body and is very common among accidental injuries which causes burden on hospitals. A lot of treatment interventions are introduced until now for the management of burn to lessen complications and increase quality of life in survivors. Methodology: Forty-eight patients who complete selection criteria were included in this study. Written informed consent was obtained from every participant in this study before starting any physical examination. Participants was allocated into two groups randomly. On 1stday range of motion at involved joints was assessed using goniometry. Group A is treated with stretching techniques, while group B is treated with Range of Motion exercises. Conventional treatment for both groups’ participants includes isometrics exercise and anti-contracture positioning. Treatment frequency was 3 times a week. Results: Comparison of all upper extremityjoint movements at baseline and 4th week has shown that there was a significant difference between post treatment range of motion with p value of less than 0.05 showing that group A is more effective in improving shoulder flexion after burn injury.Comparison of mean of all measured range of motions in group A and B was 57.08 degree ±28.29 and 59.25 degree±33.52 in pre-treatment and 96.66 degree ±36.35 and 81.49 degree ±33.10 post-treatment. Conclusion: Stretching techniques are more effective in the prevention of post burn contractures than Range of Motion exercises, as more improvement was noted in range of motion at joints of upper limb in patients after stretching. Keywords: ROM (Range of motion), RCT (randomized controlled trail)

Effect of Stretching Exercise to Increase Joint Range of Motion and Functional Ability in Post-Burn Shoulder Contracture Patients: A Case Report

“…A decrease in the range of motion in the shoulder joint is a complication of a burn injury, while the stretching done to the muscle fibers first affects the sarcomere, which is the basic unit of contraction of the muscle fibers. When the sarcomere contracts, the area of overlap between the thick and thin myofilaments increases (Ashraf et al, 2022). When stretching occurs, this overlapping area decreases, causing the muscle fibers to elongate.…”

Comparison of the Effects of Stretching and Splinting in Improving the Range of Motion and Functional Status for Prevention of Post-Burn Axillary Contracture

“…The treatment of burn and contracture patients employs a variety of approaches, with the primary goal being the prevention of axillary contracture through positioning, splinting, serial casting, exercises, the use of paraffin and ultrasound, and surgical correction. Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of stretching in enhancing the range of motion, particularly in flexion and abduction among upper limb burn patients, thereby reducing the incidence of axillary contracture (4,14,15). Conversely, other research emphasizes the benefits of positioning patients in airplane splints to provide abduction support, which not only improves the range of motion in the shoulder but also enhances patient mobility and functional status (5,16,17).…”