Effectiveness of Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises in Distal Radius Fracture

Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of closed kinetic chain exercises during the physiotherapy and rehabilitation process following the healing of a distal radius fracture.

A total of 40 participants aged 40-60 years who were diagnosed with distal radius fractures were randomly assigned to two groups: the conventional physiotherapy (CP) group (n=20) and the closed kinetic chain exercise (CKCE) group (n=20). Participants in the CP group underwent a 6-week standard rehabilitation program consisting of conventional physiotherapy sessions conducted 5 days a week. This program included Ultrasound (US), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), wrist joint range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, Digiflex, Powerweb, and dumbbell-based strengthening exercises. In the CKCE group, the same CP program was implemented with the addition of CKCE sessions conducted five days a week for 6 weeks.

Outcome measures included joint range of motion assessed using the Goniometer Pro mobile application, functionality evaluated with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and joint position sense assessed through the Active Repositioning Test.

CKCE may positively affect joint range of motion, arm functionality, pain, and joint position sense by improving the proprioceptive mechanism in individuals with distal radius fractures.

Conditions

• Distal Radius Fractures

Interventions

OTHER

Conventional Physiotherapy

Participants in the first group underwent conventional physiotherapy interventions for 6 weeks, 5 days per week. These interventions included Ultrasound (US), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), wrist joint range of motion exercises, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises using Digiflex, Powerweb, and dumbbells. The number of repetitions and sets of the exercises was adjusted based on the patients' conditions, following a progressive approach. US was applied to the affected wrist for a total of 30 sessions, 5 days a week, once daily, for 6 minutes at an intensity of 1.5 W/cm², using an underwater application method. TENS was administered at a frequency of 100 Hertz for 20 minutes. All participants received manual stretching exercises for wrist flexion, extension, ulnar and radial deviation, supination, and pronation. These stretches were performed by a physiotherapist, with 5 repetitions in each direction, holding the end position for 20 seconds.

OTHER

Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise

Participants in the second group received a treatment protocol that included closed kinetic chain exercises (CKCE) in addition to conventional physiotherapy. CKCE exercises were performed with 15 repetitions each and involved stabilizing a ball between the hand and the wall in different arm positions, rolling it in multiple directions. Participants also performed weight-shifting exercises against a wall and on a table, holding positions for 6 seconds. Additionally, in a crawling position, they moved their unaffected arm diagonally on both a firm surface and a cushion.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• burak menek

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-06

Primary Completion

2025-03-09

Completion

2025-04-02

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations