Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand

Abstract

It is uncertain whether exercise improves hand function or pain in the short term. It probably slightly improves function but has little or no difference on pain in the medium and long term. It is uncertain whether exercise improves grip and pinch strength in the short term, and probably has little or no difference in the medium and long term. The ACR50 response is unknown. People who received exercise with adherence strategies were probably more adherent in the medium term than who did not receive exercise, but with little or no difference in the long term. Hand exercise probably does not lead to adverse events. Future research should consider hand and wrist function as their primary outcome, describe exercise following the TIDieR guidelines, and evaluate behavioural strategies.

The effect of physical exercise on rheumatoid arthritis: An overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3‐month intervention (Williams et al., 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05). Grip strength was found to be improved by hand exercise over 6 months(Hammond & Prior, 2016) or even 3 months (Williams et al., 2018) (left hand: MD 0.44, 95% CI 0.11–0.78, p < 0.05; right hand: MD 0.46, 95% CI 0.13–0.80, p < 0.05). However, the impact decreased with time duration.…”

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3-month intervention (Williams et al, 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05).…”

The effect of physical exercise on rheumatoid arthritis: An overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3‐month intervention (Williams et al., 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05). Grip strength was found to be improved by hand exercise over 6 months(Hammond & Prior, 2016) or even 3 months (Williams et al., 2018) (left hand: MD 0.44, 95% CI 0.11–0.78, p < 0.05; right hand: MD 0.46, 95% CI 0.13–0.80, p < 0.05). However, the impact decreased with time duration.…”

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3-month intervention (Williams et al, 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05).…”

Effectiveness of high-intensity exercise on physical function and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have analysed the effects of physical exercise programs on physical function and disease activity in patients with RA. 14–16 ,41 According to our findings, Williams et al (2018), in their systematic review with meta-analysis, showed that hand exercises significantly improve hand function in the medium-long term but do not significantly reduce disease activity in patients with RA. 41 In contrast to our findings, Sobue et al (2022), in their meta-analysis of RCTs, showed that exercise therapy increment significantly auto-reported physical function of the upper extremity in RA patients, with a small effect size and no increase in the disease activity.…”

“…14–16 ,41 According to our findings, Williams et al (2018), in their systematic review with meta-analysis, showed that hand exercises significantly improve hand function in the medium-long term but do not significantly reduce disease activity in patients with RA. 41 In contrast to our findings, Sobue et al (2022), in their meta-analysis of RCTs, showed that exercise therapy increment significantly auto-reported physical function of the upper extremity in RA patients, with a small effect size and no increase in the disease activity. 16 Hu et al (2021) showed that the combination of aerobic exercise with resistance training produces a significant improvement in physical function in patients with RA.…”

2021 EULAR recommendations regarding lifestyle behaviours and work participation to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

“…In line with previous recommendations,11 35 evidence suggests that both aerobic and strengthening exercises are beneficial for people with RMDs, and therefore, both should be included when exercising 14 17 40 48–50. People with RMDs should aim for at least moderate intensity aerobic exercise (64%–76% of maximal heart rate51) for at least 150 min per week, and strengthening exercise (50%–69% of an individual’s one-repetition maximal effort) twice a week 35…”

The effect of physical exercise on rheumatoid arthritis: An overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3‐month intervention (Williams et al., 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05). Grip strength was found to be improved by hand exercise over 6 months(Hammond & Prior, 2016) or even 3 months (Williams et al., 2018) (left hand: MD 0.44, 95% CI 0.11–0.78, p < 0.05; right hand: MD 0.46, 95% CI 0.13–0.80, p < 0.05). However, the impact decreased with time duration.…”

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3-month intervention (Williams et al, 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05).…”

Effectiveness of high-intensity exercise on physical function and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have analysed the effects of physical exercise programs on physical function and disease activity in patients with RA. 14–16 ,41 According to our findings, Williams et al (2018), in their systematic review with meta-analysis, showed that hand exercises significantly improve hand function in the medium-long term but do not significantly reduce disease activity in patients with RA. 41 In contrast to our findings, Sobue et al (2022), in their meta-analysis of RCTs, showed that exercise therapy increment significantly auto-reported physical function of the upper extremity in RA patients, with a small effect size and no increase in the disease activity.…”

“…14–16 ,41 According to our findings, Williams et al (2018), in their systematic review with meta-analysis, showed that hand exercises significantly improve hand function in the medium-long term but do not significantly reduce disease activity in patients with RA. 41 In contrast to our findings, Sobue et al (2022), in their meta-analysis of RCTs, showed that exercise therapy increment significantly auto-reported physical function of the upper extremity in RA patients, with a small effect size and no increase in the disease activity. 16 Hu et al (2021) showed that the combination of aerobic exercise with resistance training produces a significant improvement in physical function in patients with RA.…”

2021 EULAR recommendations regarding lifestyle behaviours and work participation to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

“…In line with previous recommendations,11 35 evidence suggests that both aerobic and strengthening exercises are beneficial for people with RMDs, and therefore, both should be included when exercising 14 17 40 48–50. People with RMDs should aim for at least moderate intensity aerobic exercise (64%–76% of maximal heart rate51) for at least 150 min per week, and strengthening exercise (50%–69% of an individual’s one-repetition maximal effort) twice a week 35…”

The effect of physical exercise on rheumatoid arthritis: An overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3‐month intervention (Williams et al., 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05). Grip strength was found to be improved by hand exercise over 6 months(Hammond & Prior, 2016) or even 3 months (Williams et al., 2018) (left hand: MD 0.44, 95% CI 0.11–0.78, p < 0.05; right hand: MD 0.46, 95% CI 0.13–0.80, p < 0.05). However, the impact decreased with time duration.…”

“…Qualitative analysis showed that hand exercise has a positive effect on pain, consistent with the result of a 3-month intervention (Williams et al, 2018) (MD −27.98, 95% CI −48.93 to −7.03, p < 0.05).…”

Effectiveness of high-intensity exercise on physical function and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have analysed the effects of physical exercise programs on physical function and disease activity in patients with RA. 14–16 ,41 According to our findings, Williams et al (2018), in their systematic review with meta-analysis, showed that hand exercises significantly improve hand function in the medium-long term but do not significantly reduce disease activity in patients with RA. 41 In contrast to our findings, Sobue et al (2022), in their meta-analysis of RCTs, showed that exercise therapy increment significantly auto-reported physical function of the upper extremity in RA patients, with a small effect size and no increase in the disease activity.…”

“…14–16 ,41 According to our findings, Williams et al (2018), in their systematic review with meta-analysis, showed that hand exercises significantly improve hand function in the medium-long term but do not significantly reduce disease activity in patients with RA. 41 In contrast to our findings, Sobue et al (2022), in their meta-analysis of RCTs, showed that exercise therapy increment significantly auto-reported physical function of the upper extremity in RA patients, with a small effect size and no increase in the disease activity. 16 Hu et al (2021) showed that the combination of aerobic exercise with resistance training produces a significant improvement in physical function in patients with RA.…”

2021 EULAR recommendations regarding lifestyle behaviours and work participation to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

“…In line with previous recommendations,11 35 evidence suggests that both aerobic and strengthening exercises are beneficial for people with RMDs, and therefore, both should be included when exercising 14 17 40 48–50. People with RMDs should aim for at least moderate intensity aerobic exercise (64%–76% of maximal heart rate51) for at least 150 min per week, and strengthening exercise (50%–69% of an individual’s one-repetition maximal effort) twice a week 35…”