Affiliations: Isra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isra University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Waqar Ahmed Awan, Isra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isra University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel.: +92 333 5348846; E-mail:wawan01@hotmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The management of De Quervain's disease is determined
more by Intuition than scientific data. The choice of first line
conservative option for the management of De Quervain's disease is still a
topic of debate. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound with
or without spica splint in the management of De Quervain's disease (DQD). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). SETTING: Outpatient department of Al-Nafees Medical College
Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. POPULATION: Thirty patients who had the history of the De
Quervain's disease for at least 6 months were enrolled in the study. The
ages of the patient were 30-50 year. The population included housewives,
maids, painters, and teachers. METHODS: Thirty patients were divided into two groups. The control
group was treated with therapeutic ultrasound while in the experimental
group thumb spica splitting was also added. The data was collected from the
subjects through Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
questionnaire. The demographic data was presented in the form of tables.
Intervention-induced changes within the groups were investigated using
paired sample t-test while independent sample t-test was used to compare the
two groups. RESULTS: Significant changes within both groups (p ≤ 0.05)
were observed as a result of intervention. Additionally, significant
differences in some instrument items were found between experimental and
control group (p ≤ 0.05) after intervention. However, some items did
not demonstrate significant changes in both groups likely because there was
no effect of De Quervain's disease on those items before the
intervention. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the use of therapeutic
ultrasound and spica splint together is more effective than using
therapeutic ultrasound alone in the conservative management of De Quervain's
disease. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study provides evidence to the
relevant clinicians and professionals on the utility of therapeutic
ultrasound combined with thumb spica splint in the conservative management
of DQD.
