Impulsivity and inattention in hand tendon injuries: a case-control study revealing distinct profiles for work-related accidents

INTRODUCTION: The impact of attention deficit, impulsivity, and anger on various types of injuries is a subject of ongoing research. Hand tendon injuries are frequently encountered clinical conditions; however, their potential relationships with the aforementioned factors have not been previously investigated. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms of hand tendon injuries from certain psychiatric perspectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 patients presenting to the physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic with hand tendon injuries and 32 healthy controls were evaluated. The assessment included sociodemographic data, causes of injury, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, as well as the physical and functional consequences of the injury. Patients and controls were assessed for attention deficit, impulsivity, and anger using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory self-report scales. Statistical analyses of the results were performed. RESULTS: Patients with tendon injuries were found to have significantly higher scores in ASRS attention and BIS-11 Motor impulsivity compared to the control group (p = 0.048, p = 0.040). Individuals with hand tendon injuries resulting from work accidents demonstrated significantly lower ASRS total, ASRS hyperactivity and impulsivity scores, and VAS rest scores compared to those with tendon injuries resulting from other causes (p = 0.049, p = 0.045, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Hand tendon injuries are associated with elevated impulsivity and inattention, suggesting that psychiatric screening could guide injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies. In contrast, the finding that work-related accidents are characterized by lower impulsivity indicates that prevention in this subgroup should prioritize environmental safety and occupational regulations over individual behavioral interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT07126899.