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

Hammond, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5266-9991 and Prior, Y ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9831-6254 2016, 'The effectiveness of home hand exercise programmes in rheumatoid arthritis : a systematic review' , British Medical Bulletin, 119 (1) , pp. 49-62.

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Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly reduces hand function. We systematically reviewed trials to investigate effects of home hand exercise programmes on hand symptoms and function in RA.
Sources of Data: We searched: Medline (1946-), AMED, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, OT Seeker, the Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science from inception to January 2016.
Areas of Agreement: Nineteen trials were evaluated. Only three were randomised controlled trials with low risk of bias (n=665). Significant short-term improvements occurred in hand function, pain and grip strength, with long term improvements in hand and upper limb function and pinch strength.
Areas of controversy: Heterogeneity of outcome measures meant meta-analysis was not possible.
Growing Points: Evaluation of low and moderate risk of bias trials indicated high intensity home hand exercise programmes lead to better short-term outcomes than low intensity programmes. Such programmes are cost-effective.
Areas timely for developing research: Further research is needed to evaluate methods of helping people with RA maintain home hand exercise long-term.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	British Medical Bulletin
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	0007-1420
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	Professor Alison Hammond
Date Deposited:	26 Jul 2016 09:06
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2020 15:00
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/39393

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