Conservative hand therapy treatments in rheumatoid arthritis—a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Statistically significant improvements in arm function have been demonstrated following a programme of home-strengthening hand exercises in RA patients compared with simple stretches or advice alone.

The Relationship Between Hand Grip and Pinch Strengths and Disease Activity, Articular Damage, Pain, and Disability in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…[2] Hand involvement significantly affects daily living activities, [3] and RA results in the deterioration of hand function by causing swelling, pain, and deformity. In addition, by causing a decrease in the range of motion in the joints as well as weakened muscles and loss of grip strength.…”

The effectiveness of home hand exercise programmes in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

“…Two included mainly people with established RA 11,24 and one early RA (ie less than 2 years since diagnosis).…”

“…Control participants continued to receive usual care from their rheumatology team 11,23,24 In two studies, this also included provision of an Arthritis Research UK booklet about joint protection 11,23 and in the third up to 1.5 hours of joint protection education and, if applicable, functional splinting.…”

“…All three trials evaluated usual care (as above) plus RoM and resistance hand exercises (see Table 2), 11,23,24 Participants attended one, 11 Outcome measures and outcomes Pooling of data was not possible as outcome measures usually differed between studies (see Table 2). …”

“…mean grip force in pounds 11 and peak force in Newtons. 23 The third measured maximum grip force in Newtons using the MIE Digital Grip Analyser.…”