Hand and Upper Limb Trauma

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR)-based Action Observation Therapy (AOT) as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation in patients with traumatic wrist and hand injuries. Participants will receive standard rehabilitation treatment, and the intervention group will additionally undergo a six-week VR program involving observation and execution of functional hand and wrist movements. Outcomes related to hand function, grip strength, pain, proprioception, disability, and psychological factors will be assessed to determine the potential benefits of incorporating VR into rehabilitation programs.

The human and economic impact of hand and upper limb pathologies, whether acute or chronic, surgical or medical, is considerable on a national level. Hand wounds and traumas account for 1/3 of work-related accidents and their consequences. The surgical procedure and its technical quality are essential, but so is the re-education and rehabilitation phase. It is in this post-operative context that sophrology and art therapy could have their place. Literature in this precise field is non-existent. A study is therefore needed to determine the quality of life, feasibility and acceptability of these new techniques in the rehabilitation department of the Édouard Herriot Hospital's Hand and Upper Limb Surgery Unit. Sophrology and art therapy could help to limit upper-limb sequelae by promoting confidence-building and functional participation, thus helping patients to return more quickly to an active life. Given the current state of knowledge, the hypothesis being tested is that, within the framework of an existing multi-disciplinary team, art therapy and sophrology could improve quality of life and find favorable adherence on the part of patients usually cared for in the upper limb surgery department.