Background: Proximal humerus fractures can be treated surgically (eg: pinning, plate and screws) or conservatively\nby wearing a splint or a cast. Following both of these approaches, rehabilitation has proven effective to prevent\nfunctional limitations and to re-establish normal shoulder function. However, access to these rehabilitation services\nand compliance tends to be limited in elderly patients due to travelling difficulties caused by their precarious health\nstatus and, in some cases, social and marital status. Since the majority of patients with a proximal humerus fracture are\nelderly, it becomes relevant to find a new way to offer quick, simple and suitable rehabilitation service. Thus, the use of\npromising alternative approaches, as in-home telerehabilitation, can enhance access to rehabilitation services for such\npopulation. The main objective of the study is to compare the clinical effects of the innovative telerehabilitation\napproach (TELE group) compared to face-to-face visits to a clinic (CLINIC group) for patients treated for a proximal\nhumerus fracture.\nMethods/Design: In this randomized controlled trial, individuals who have had a proximal humerus fracture treated\nconservatively at the Centre int�©gr�© universitaire de sant�© et de services sociaux de lâ��Estrie - Centre hospitalier universitaire\nde Sherbrooke (CIUSSS de lâ��Estrie CHUS), and who are returning home will be included. Participants will be recruited\nduring their visit to the emergency ward or outpatient clinic by the medical or research team and will then sign the\ninformed consent form if they are interested to participate in the study. We expect to recruit 52 participants (26 per\ngroup). Randomization will be done by a random number generator with sealed envelopes. Each patient will be\nevaluated before the beginning of the rehabilitation (T1), and immediately after the 2-month intervention (T2). The\nfollowing outcomes will be measured: 1) upper extremity function (Constant Shoulder Score and Disability of the Arm,\nShoulder and Hand questionnaire [DASH]); 2) range of motion (conventional goniometer); 3) user satisfaction (Health\nCare Satisfaction questionnaire); and 4) cost of services to the public healthcare system.\nThe difference between the two groups will be compared using a t-test or a chi-squared test, and through a costeffectiveness\neconomic analysis.
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