What is the best method to assess hand swelling?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The treatment of sub-acute hand oedema post trauma- a longitudinal observational study of clinician-derived methods to assess hand oedema and patient rated outcome measures.
IRAS ID
209952
Contact name
Leanne Miller
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Following an injury or surgery to the hand it may become swollen. This is a normal part of the healing process, however, swelling which persists can have a negative impact on hand function and can delay recovery. This can require more frequent appointments, delays in return to work and difficulties with activities of daily living. Therapists use different methods to reduce the swelling in the hand to prevent it from causing long term problems and to restore joint movement and function.
In order to see whether the treatment for swelling works therapists need to measure it. There are different ways of measuring hand swelling. The purpose of this project is to establish the best way to measure swelling in the hand. Eligible patients will be those who have either sustained a hand injury or undergone surgery and have hand swelling that needs treatment by a hand therapist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust. Participation in this study involves having two extra assessments of the swelling in the hand, taking no more than 15 minutes, done on three different occasions within a 4 week period. Where possible, we will try to combine these measurements with usual hand therapy appointments. If this is not possible and requires additional trips to the hospital we will reimburse patients' travel and parking costs.
The measurement for hand swelling will involve using a tape measure and inserting the hand into a large container of water called a Volumeter. We will ask patients to complete two short questionnaires about the swelling and how it affects them and their hand. Participation in the study will end after the third assessment which will be 4 weeks after the initial assessments. Participant’s treatment will not be altered in any way and will follow usual practice.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0365
Date of REC Opinion
25 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion