Mind-Body Training for Hand Rehabilitation

Each year more than $5.7 billion is spent on outpatient therapy, which is projected to grow 6% annually over the next decade. Subsequently, healthcare reform is mandating more efficient, high-quality care to control spending. Thus, the long-term goal of this work is to develop an integrative health intervention for hand therapy that improves efficiency, enhances outcomes and reduce costs. Biofeedback and mindfulness training are two mind-body interventions that can increase patient engagement and self-efficacy. No research has investigated the integration of these mind-body interventions into treatment for hand therapy patients. This pilot research will explore the acute effects of these techniques in hand therapy patients. This study utilizes a repeated-measures crossover design with 20 participants to explore the effects of mindfulness training and the dynamic biofeedback with sonographic imaging on acute pain, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, the study will evaluate hand therapy patient preferences and perceptions of mind-body techniques. This patient-centered, clinical translational work will provide valuable feasibility data regarding the direct, acute effects of mind-body interventions to inform the development and further study of an integrative hand rehabilitation approach. This responds to a need for best practices for maximizing the mind-body connection and the call to investigate innovative uses of mindfulness to enhance patient outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Referral to USC Keck Hospital Hand Clinic
• Upper extremity pathology resulting in decreased hand use
• Pain with activity greater than 4 out of 10
• Scheduled to attend at least 2 therapy sessions per week
• Speak and read English
• Able to independently read and respond to questionnaires

Exclusion criteria

• Cast or open wounds in the distal upper extremity
• Bilateral upper extremity pathology involvement
• Significant visual or hearing deficit