Who Benefits from Hand Rehabilitation and Sensory Training?
Hand therapists (ergotherapists) treat upper extremity problems (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder) such as:
- Fractures and dislocations
- Amputations
- Burns
- Muscle, tendon, and nerve injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendinitis
- Congenital anomalies
- Ligament injuries
- Replantations
- Neuromuscular pathologies
- Nerve compressions
- Neurological diseases
Ergotherapists address the biomechanical problems underlying upper extremity issues during hand rehabilitation. By using activities that are meaningful to the individual, they increase the person’s motivation and participation. The goal is to achieve maximum performance in the desired activity areas.
What Are the Goals of Hand Rehabilitation and Sensory Training?
- Reduction of pain and swelling
- Increase in joint range of motion
- Meaningful improvement in sensation (correcting sensory impairments, regaining sensation)
- Increase in muscle strength
- Improvement in hand coordination and fine motor manipulation skills
- Functional use of the hand
- Independence in daily living activities
- Regaining different grasp patterns (key grip, cup grip, etc.)
What Are the Methods Used in Hand Rehabilitation and Sensory Training?
Ergotherapists use meaningful therapeutic activities, neurodevelopmental techniques, and sensory inputs that the individual actively participates in to prevent pain, edema, joint stiffness, and to strengthen muscles.
- Sensory training (sensitization) and desensitization training
- Mirror therapy
- Protective sensory training after permanent sensory loss
- Functional activity training, daily living activities training
- Ayres sensory-perceptual-motor training
- Pain and scar management, wound care
- Energy and joint protection techniques
- Joint range of motion exercises
- Assistive device and orthosis guidance
- Return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation training
What Are the Benefits of Hand Rehabilitation and Sensory Training?
- The person’s wishes and roles guide the treatment.
- It evaluates and improves not only physical problems but also their impact on daily life.
- It considers and intervenes on psychological, social, cognitive, sensory, and environmental factors alongside physical aspects such as muscles and joints — taking a holistic approach.
- During the recovery process, it teaches individuals methods to be independent (e.g., dressing with one hand), supporting their psychological well-being.