Quality Recovery of Upper Extremity Function towards Massage in Adult with New Versus Old Burn Scars

This study aimed to investigate the effect of massage on the quality of recovery in upper extremity function for adults with new versus old burn scars. Twenty adults with burns were recruited from a local hospital, and they were divided into four groups. Groups were trained in upper extremity function either with massage (Experimental group: new and old burn scars) or without (Control group: new and old burn scars). Each participant received massage for 25 min/day for five days. Disability of the arm, shoulder and hand self-rating questionnaires (DASH) and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) were administered before and after intervention. The massages improved the upper extremity function for new burn scars and scar status. However, there were no changes following massage for old burn scars compared with new scars. We are cautious in our interpretation because of the small sample size. Continued research in this area is needed.