The use of innovative means and methods of rehabilitation intervention for upper limb injuries in military personnel (literature review)

  • Iryna Semeniuk Master's student of the Department of Biosafety and Human Health, specialty 227 "Physical Therapy", National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute", Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4343-0611
  • Yuliya Antonova-Rafi Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Biosafety and Human Health, National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute", Kyiv, Ukraine; Senior Research Fellow, E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9518-4492
Keywords: Evidence-Based Medicine; Military Personnel; Physical Therapy; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; recovery, robotic systems, upper limb injuries, vr, innovative methods, innovative tools

Abstract

the article outlines the characteristics of upper limb injuries in military personnel caused by gunshot and shrapnel wounds, fractures, neuropathies, and soft tissue injuries. Special attention is given to innovative rehabilitation approaches that promote the recovery of mobility, coordination, and limb functionality. The effectiveness of modern developments and methodologies in robotics and virtual reality for upper limb rehabilitation, as presented in scientific literature from 2021 to 2024, is analyzed concerning various types of injuries and recovery periods. These technologies demonstrate high potential in physical therapy by ensuring controlled and repetitive movements to activate muscle memory, stimulating sensorimotor functions, and creating a motivational environment. The necessity for further research is substantiated to confirm their clinical significance and long-term effectiveness. The summarized comparative information will serve as a valuable tool for physical therapists in selecting the most optimal innovative means and methods, as well as in developing more effective individualized rehabilitation programs for military personnel with upper limb injuries.

References

Страфун С., Курінний І., Борзих Н., Цимбалюк Ю., Шипунов В. Тактика хірургічного лікування поранених з вогнепальними ушкодженнями верхньої кінцівки в сучасних умовах. ДО [Інтернет]. 2021Жов.12 [цитовано 2025Лют.10];(2(109):10-7. Доступно з: https://visnyk.uaot.com.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/63.

Shvets AV, Horishna OV, Deputat YuM, Rychka OV, Zhaldak AYu, Kikh AYu. Prognostic assessment of the need for medical rehabilitation among military officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine based on the structure of their combat trauma. UJMM [Інтернет]. 30, Вересень 2022 [цит. за 09, Лютий 2025];3(3):110–7. Доступний у: https://ujmm.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/296.

Pfister G, Chataigneau A, de Lesquen H, de L'escalopier N, Murison JC, Mathieu L. Wartime upper-extremity injuries in the Sahelian strip: Experience from a French Forward Surgical Team deployed in Mali. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2022 Apr;41(2):246-251. doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2021.11.005. Epub 2021 Nov 19. PMID: 34808419.

Perez KG, Eskridge SL, Clouser MC, McCabe CT, Galarneau MR. A Focus on Non-Amputation Combat Extremity Injury: 2001-2018. Mil Med. 2022 May 3;187(5-6):e638-e643. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab143. PMID: 33939807.

Trutyak I, Los D, Medzyn V, Trunkvalter V, Zukovsky V. Treatment of combat surgical trauma of the limbs in the conditions of modern war. Proc Shevchenko Sci Soc Med Sci [Internet]. 2022Dec.30 [cited 2025Feb.9];69(2). Available from: https://mspsss.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/742.

Крук ІМ, Григус ІМ. Фізична терапія військовослужбовців з наслідками вогнепальних поранень. R&R [інтернет]. 12, Жовтень 2022 [цит. за 09, Лютий 2025];(12):44-51. доступний у: https://health.nuwm.edu.ua/index.php/rehabilitation/article/view/246.

Nicolozakes CP, Sohn MH, Baillargeon EM, Lipps DB, Perreault EJ. Stretch reflex gain scaling at the shoulder varies with synergistic muscle activity. J Neurophysiol. 2022 Nov 1;128(5):1244-1257. doi: 10.1152/jn.00259.2022. Epub 2022 Oct 12. PMID: 36224165; PMCID: PMC9662809.

Крупа В, Вольська І, Крупа Ю. Комплексна фізична реабілітація при травмах та ушкодженнях верхніх кінцівок. InterConf+ [Інтернет]. 20, Грудень 2023 [цит. за 09, Лютий 2025];(40(183)):460–6. Доступний у: https://archive.interconf.center/index.php/2709-4685/article/view/4975.

Shestopal N, Bismak H, Lazarieva O. Restoration of the functional state of military personnel after gunshot wounds to the upper limb using physical therapy measures based on the principles of neuroplasticity. PhR&RT [Internet]. 2024 Sep. 12 [cited 2025 Feb. 9];9(5):393-40. Available from: https://phrir.com/journal/article/view/198.

Calabrò RS, Morone G, Naro A, Gandolfi M, Liotti V, D'aurizio C, Straudi S, Focacci A, Pournajaf S, Aprile I, Filoni S, Zanetti C, Leo MR, Tedesco L, Spina V, Chisari C, Taveggia G, Mazzoleni S, Smania N, Paolucci S, Franceschini M, Bonaiuti D. Robot-Assisted Training for Upper Limb in Stroke (ROBOTAS): An Observational, Multicenter Study to Identify Determinants of Efficacy. J Clin Med. 2021 Nov 11;10(22):5245. doi: 10.3390/jcm10225245. PMID: 34830527; PMCID: PMC8622640.

Tseng KC, Wang L, Hsieh C, Wong AM. Portable robots for upper-limb rehabilitation after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med. 2024 Dec;56(1):2337735. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2337735. Epub 2024 Apr 19. PMID: 38640459; PMCID: PMC11034452.

Spits AH, Rozevink SG, Balk GA, Hijmans JM, van der Sluis CK. Stroke survivors' experiences with home-based telerehabilitation using an assistive device to improve upper limb function: a qualitative study. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2024 Apr;19(3):730-738. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2120641. Epub 2022 Sep 22. PMID: 36137223.

Singh N, Saini M, Kumar N, Srivastava MVP, Mehndiratta A. Evidence of neuroplasticity with robotic hand exoskeleton for post-stroke rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2021 May 6;18(1):76. doi: 10.1186/s12984-021-00867-7. PMID: 33957937; PMCID: PMC8101163.

Combalia A, Sanchez-Vives MV, Donegan T. Immersive virtual reality in orthopaedics-a narrative review. Int Orthop. 2024 Jan;48(1):21-30. doi: 10.1007/s00264-023-05911-w. Epub 2023 Aug 11. PMID: 37566225; PMCID: PMC10766717.

Soleimani M, Ghazisaeedi M, Heydari S. The efficacy of virtual reality for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2024 May 24;24(1):135. doi: 10.1186/s12911-024-02534-y. PMID: 38790042; PMCID: PMC11127427.

Ceradini M, Losanno E, Micera S, Bandini A, Orlandi S. Immersive VR for upper-extremity rehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders: a scoping review. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2024 May 11;21(1):75. doi: 10.1186/s12984-024-01367-0. PMID: 38734690; PMCID: PMC11088157.

Matamala-Gomez M, Slater M, Sanchez-Vives MV. Impact of virtual embodiment and exercises on functional ability and range of motion in orthopedic rehabilitation. Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 23;12(1):5046. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08917-3. PMID: 35322080; PMCID: PMC8943096.

Álvarez de la Campa Crespo M, Donegan T, Amestoy-Alonso B, Just A, Combalía A, Sanchez-Vives MV. Virtual embodiment for improving range of motion in patients with movement-related shoulder pain: an experimental study. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Sep 26;18(1):729. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04158-w. PMID: 37752613; PMCID: PMC10523655.

Tokgöz P, Stampa S, Wähnert D, Vordemvenne T, Dockweiler C. Virtual Reality in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Injuries and Diseases of Upper Extremities. Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Jun 16;10(6):1124. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10061124. PMID: 35742176; PMCID: PMC9222955.

Published
2025-06-29
How to Cite
1.
Semeniuk I, Antonova-Rafi Y. The use of innovative means and methods of rehabilitation intervention for upper limb injuries in military personnel (literature review). USMYJ [Internet]. 2025Jun.29 [cited 2026Jun.7];154(2):270-8. Available from: https://mmj.nmuofficial.com/index.php/journal/article/view/541