September 17, 2015
Exercise Program for Hand Osteoarthritis.Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD reviewing Hennig T et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2015 Aug.
After a 3-month exercise intervention, women with hand OA had less joint pain, better function, and greater grip strength.Treatments for patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topical therapies, local injections, splints, and surgery. Hand-exercise therapy also is recommended, but few data support its use. In this study from Norway, 80 women (mean age, 61) with hand OA (diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria) and at least three hand OA–related activity limitations were randomized to a home-based hand-exercise program or an information-only control group. The exercise group was instructed to perform the hand-exercise program (see figure) three times weekly (10 repetitions of each exercise during the first 2 weeks, 12 repetitions during the next 2 weeks, and 15 repetitions during the rest of the exercise period).
Exercises for hand osteoarthritis:This picture is reprinted from Ann Rheum Dis 2015; 74 : 1501 © 2015 BMJ Publishing group Ltd and EULAR.After 3 months, mean change in activity performance on the 10-point Patient-Specific Functional Scale was 1.8 points in the exercise group and 0.2 points in the control group — a significant difference. Significant differences in favor of the exercise group also were noted for joint pain, grip strength, and hand fatigue. Although exercises transiently increased hand pain, this effect lessened with time.
Comment
This randomized trial was small and involved only women, but its results are encouraging. Larger, more inclusive trials are required, but, in the meantime, one could reasonably refer hand OA patients to an occupational therapist who is familiar with these exercises and with general ergonomic principles relevant to hand OA.
Editor Disclosures at Time of Publication
Disclosures for Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD at time of publication Consultant / Advisory board CVS Health (member, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee)
Citation(s):
Hennig T et al.
Effect of home-based hand exercises in women with hand osteoarthritis: A randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2015 Aug; 74:1501. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
Εγγραφή ή
Είσοδος)
- See more at: Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
Εγγραφή ή
Είσοδος