Injury caused by burns is a distressingly common occurrence, necessitating meticulous care from rehabilitation teams to thwart the development of debilitating contractures. Central to this rehabilitation process is the indispensable role of physiotherapy in aiding the recovery of burn-afflicted patients.

In pursuit of refining burn rehabilitation strategies, a comprehensive study conducted by F. Okhovatian, et. al.,(2007) undertook a comparative assessment of two distinct burn rehabilitation protocols. The paramount concern driving this investigation was the need to identify potential complications and challenges associated with burn rehabilitation.

Methodology encompassed the enrollment of burn-injured patients admitted to a Tehran-based general hospital in 2005. Employing a meticulous group-matching clinical trial approach, participants were subsequently randomized into two separate groups. The first group received conventional physiotherapy in accordance with established routine practices, while the second group underwent treatment following the Burn Rehabilitation Treatment (BRT) protocol. Initial patient registration involved the completion of a comprehensive questionnaire, capturing pivotal variables such as gender, age, Total Body Surface (TBS) area affected by burns, as well as the depth and causal factors of the injuries. Furthermore, key outcomes including post-burn contracture incidence, thrombosis rates, and the duration of hospital stays were evaluated upon discharge.

Scrutinizing the collected data, it was ascertained that there existed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between the two groups in terms of gender, age, TBS, causative agents, and the depth of the burn injuries. Correspondingly, the occurrence of thrombosis and the duration of patients’ hospitalization demonstrated no significant discrepancies (p>0.05) between the two groups. However, a notable and statistically significant contrast (p<0.01) did emerge in the realm of burn contractures between the two groups. Notably, a mere 6% of individuals receiving treatment based on the BRT protocol exhibited burn contractures, a stark contrast to the 73% incidence observed in those subjected to routine rehabilitation procedures.

As a culmination of the study’s findings, it becomes evident that the implementation of an intensive burn rehabilitation approach holds the potential to substantially mitigate burn-related complications. In light of these promising results, burn rehabilitation teams are encouraged to consider the adoption of the Burn Rehabilitation Treatment (BRT) protocol, recognizing its potential to yield superior patient outcomes and a decreased likelihood of debilitating burn contractures. This research marks a pivotal stride toward the optimization of burn rehabilitation strategies, facilitating the enhanced recovery and improved quality of life for those afflicted by burn injuries.

Reference: Okhovatian, F., & Zoubine, N. (2007). A comparison between two burn rehabilitation protocols. Burns, 33(4), 429-434.