Influences of different rehabilitative methods on function of hands and psychological anxiety of patients with deeply burned hands retaining denatured dermis and grafting large autologous skin

Objective To investigate influences of different rehabilitative methods on function of hands and psychological anxiety of patients with deeply burned hands retaining denatured dermis and grafting large autologous skin. Methods Forty-four patients with deeply burned hands, conforming to the study criteria were admitted to Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2014 to June 2015. Patients were divided into propaganda education rehabilitation group (PER, n=23) and specially-assigned person rehabilitation group (SAPR, n=21) according to the random number table and patients′ willingness. On post injury day 3 to 7, 36 burned hands in group PER and 33 burned hands in group SAPR underwent operation of retaining denatured dermis and grafting large autologous skin. Patients in 2 groups received anti-scar treatment of hands with silicone gel from postoperative day 10. Besides, patients in group PER underwent active functional exercise under guidance of duty nurse and received psychological guidance from duty nurse with grade two psychological consultant certificate. Patients in group SAPR underwent active and passive functional exercise under guidance of rehabilitation therapist and received psychological guidance from psychotherapist with intermediate title. In postoperative month (POM) 1, 3 and 6, ranges of active motion of burned finger joints of patients in 2 groups were measured with joint goniometer to calculate excellent and good ratio of total active motion (TAM) range. Values of grip strength of burned hands of patients were measured with electronic hand dynamometer, and psychological anxiety was scored with Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Data were processed with chi-square test, independent sample t test, McNemar test, analysis of variance of repeated measurement, SNK test and Bonferroni correction. Results (1) Ratio of excellent and good of TAM range of burned finger joints of patients in group SAPR in POM 6 was obviously higher than that in group PER (χ²=10.745, P<0.0167 ). Ratio of excellent and good of TAM range of burned finger joints of patients in 2 groups in POM 3 were obviously higher than that in POM 1 of the same group, respectively (with P values below 0.0167). (2) Values of grip strength of burned hands of patients in group SAPR in POM 1, 3, and 6 were respectively (8.2±2.6), (21.6±2.6) and (30.1±2.3) kg, obviously higher than those in group PER [ (5.3±1.3), (12.8±2.7), (20.0±1.8) kg, respectively, with t values from 5.934 to 20.403, P values below 0.01]. Values of grip strength of burned hands of patients in 2 groups in POM 3 and 6 were obviously higher than those at the previous time point of the same group (with P values below 0.05). (3) SAS scores of patients in group SAPR in POM 1, 3 and 6 were significantly lower than those in group PER (with t values from 2.944 to 4.758, P values below 0.01). SAS scores of patients in 2 groups in POM 3 and 6 were significantly lower than those at the previous time point of the same group (with P values below 0.05). Conclusions Compared with rehabilitation of propaganda and education, rehabilitation under specially-assigned person can improve TAM range of burned finger joints, value of grip strength, and psychological anxiety of patients with deeply burned hands retaining the denatured dermis and grafting large autologous skin.