QUESTIONS: Does the addition of cyclic pneumatic soft-tissue compression during the 6-week immobilisation period following fracture of the distal radius result in a faster recovery of muscle strength and joint range of motion? Does it result in a larger recovery of muscle strength and joint range of motion immediately after the immobilisation period (at 6 weeks) or four weeks after the immobilisation period (at 10 weeks)? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation and assessor blinding. PARTICIPANTS: 21 patients with fracture of the distal radius. INTERVENTION: The experimental group received cyclic pneumatic soft-tissue compression during the 6-week immobilisation period whereas the control group received usual care. Both groups were instructed to actively make a fist 100 times per day during the 6-week immobilisation period and were given an exercise program during the 4-week post-immobilisation period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Function was measured as power grip, pinch grip, key grip, and supination strength using dynamometry from week 1 to 10 as well as wrist flexion/extension and forearm supination/pronation range of motion using goniometry from week 6 to 10. The outcome measures are presented as a percentage of the intact side. RESULTS: The experimental group improved significantly faster than the control group in muscle strength from week 1 to 10 (p > 0.001) but not in joint range of motion from week 6 to 10 (p > 0.05). By week 6, the experimental group was 12 to 26% stronger and had 8 to 14% more range of motion than the control group. By week 10, the experimental group was 24 to 29% stronger and had 10 to 15% more range of motion than the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that a larger clinical trial is warranted and should incorporate direct measures of fracture healing.

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