EFFECTIVENESS OF GRADED MOTOR IMAGERY TO PREVENT CRPS IN PATIENTS WITH DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE AFTER SURGERY

EFFECTIVENESS OF GRADED MOTOR IMAGERY TO PREVENT CRPS IN PATIENTS WITH DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE AFTER SURGERY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

The study would like show that patients who follow a protocol with GMI are less probability to develop CRPS

Distal radius fractures (DRF) has a high frequency in adults. Studies show that the upper limb is frequently affected by CRPS, especially if is preceded by a fracture.

Recent studies suggest that changes in cortical structures can contribute to the onset of CRPS.

GMI is a approved and efficacy method in CRPS rehabilitation, because it trains modified cortical areas throught 3 stadies: left-right discrimination, visual motor imagery and mirror therapy.

Literature shows that there are any studies about GMI efficacy on prevention CRPS in DRF after surgery.

This study would like to demostrate that, appling GMI in the early stages of rehabilitation plus standard rehabilitation protocol of DRF after surgery, CRPS cases are reducted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with distal radius fracture after surgery
• 18 to 75 years old
• Male and female

Exclusion Criteria:

• uncompliants patients
• patients with neurological disorders or cognitive impairment
• patients with TFCC injury or both ulna and radius fractures
• patients with visually impairment
• patients who don't speak or understand oral and written italian language