Functional Outcomes After Buddy Tape Immobilization in a Healthy Population

TL;DR

Buddy taping, a common hand treatment, reduces typing speed and accuracy but does not affect self-reported function in healthy people.

Contribution

This study provides objective, quantifiable data on the functional limitations caused by buddy taping in healthy individuals.

Findings

Buddy taping significantly decreased typing speed and accuracy in healthy volunteers.

The most affected configuration was taping the left middle and index fingers.

Self-reported upper extremity function (PROMIS-UE) remained unchanged with buddy taping.

Abstract

Buddy taping is a simple, cheap, and common method of treatment for various hand conditions. Unlike static splinting, buddy taping allows for maintained range of motion during the period of treatment. This study aims to objectively measure the functional impact that buddy tape immobilization has on activities of daily living.

Healthy volunteers completed a baseline typing assessment and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS-UE) functional assessment. The participants then repeated the typing assessment and PROMIS-UE assessment while two of their fingers were buddy taped in all possible permutations (index to middle, middle to ring, ring to small) in both the dominant and nondominant hands. Volunteers acted as their own control group. Differences in overall average typing speed (words per minute [WPM]), accuracy, and PROMIS-UE scores were evaluated via one-way analysis of variance or two-sample t tests.

Twenty-seven healthy volunteers were recruited. There were statistically significant decreases in typing speed with all buddy tape configurations, ranging from 75.4 WPM to 44.8 WPM as well as accuracy ranging from 92.6% to 84.8%. The most affected taping configuration was buddy tape between the left middle and index fingers, and the least affected taping configuration was buddy tape between the right-small and -ring fingers. There were no statistically significant differences in PROMIS-UE scores for any buddy taping configuration.

This study demonstrates that buddy taping alone significantly decreases typing speed and accuracy, particularly when the left index and middle fingers are immobilized, though overall self-reported function remains unaffected. These findings provide objective, quantifiable measurements of disability and can help provide clear expectations to patients, employers, or insurers regarding the temporary limitations imposed by buddy taping.

III, nonconsecutive cohort study.

Figures