Exercise and hand osteoarthritis symptomatology: a controlled crossover trial.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION

Hand exercises have been recommended as treatment for hand osteoarthritis (OA) but research evidence is sparse.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To investigate effects of daily 16-week home-based hand exercise among persons with hand OA.

METHODS

Forty-six older adults completed a crossover trial with washout between exercise and sham treatments. The AUSCAN physical function sub-scale served as the primary outcome measure. Other outcomes included pain and stiffness sub-scales, dexterity, and grip & pinch strengths.

RESULTS

Changes in AUSCAN sub-scales did not differ between exercise and sham treatments. No changes in dexterity were seen. Grip and pinch measures modestly improved after exercise but not sham.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible that our exercise protocol may have been too ambitious for this age group. Future research will further the understanding of the role of hand exercise in hand OA symptomatology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2b.