ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on hand function according to the timing of the commencement of hand rehabilitation on patients with a hand injury from a work-related injury. Methods: As a retrospective cohort study, this research used electronic medical records on 127 patients who received hand therapy at C Hospital in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, and S Hospital in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, from January 2018 to December 2019. The participants were divided into a group receiving less than 4 months of rehibilitation (61 people) and a group receiving more than 4 months (66 people) so as to compare the differences in grip, pinch, pain during rest, pain during activity, Jebsen- Taylor Hand Function Test(JTHFT), and Quick DASH. Results: Both groups significantly improved their hand function (p < .05). In the comparison of changes in hand function between groups, there were significant improvements in grip strength, lateral pinch, pain during rest, pain during activity, and Quick DASH (p < .05). Conclusion: This study showed that early treatment is more positive to the resulting hand function than late treatment. Therefore, it was suggested that information on early rehabilitation be provided to patients post operation and that proper treatment is needed according to the diagnosis, injured area, and severity of the damage.