Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy and strength training among post-menopausal women with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND

Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) greatly affects post-menopausal women. It is characterized by pain and functional deficits that limit the performance of activities of daily life and affect quality of life.

PURPOSE

Analyze the effects of 4/weeks strength training, with and without proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the disability among post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA. Secondly, analyze the effects on pain, mobility, and strength.

STUDY DESIGN

Superiority randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

42 women were randomly allocated to strength training program (SEG, n = 21) and to a strength training plus PNF therapy program (PNFG, n = 21). The Disability (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire), pain (visual analogue scale), mobility (Kapandji Test), and hand strength were evaluated pre, post intervention (at 4 weeks) and follow-up (at 8 weeks).

RESULTS

Disability was significantly reduced in both groups after intervention, but reduction was statistically superior in PNFG (between-group mean difference [MD] = -16.69 points; CI = -21.56:-11.82; P<.001; d = 2.14). Similar results were observed for secondary outcomes: pain (MD = -2.03; CI = -2.83:-1.22; P<.001; d = 1.58), mobility (MD = 0.96; CI = 0.52:1.38; P<.001; d = 1.40) and strength (grip: MD = 3.47kg; CI = 1.25:5.69; P = .003; d = 0.97, palmar: MD = 0.97kg; CI = 0.14:1.80; P = .024; d = 0.72, tip: MD = 1.12kg; CI = 0.41:1.83; P = .003; d = 0.99 and key pinch: MD = 0.85kg; CI = 0.001:1.70; P = .049; d = 0.62). These improvements were maintained at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of PNF exercises and strength training is more effective for reducing disability pain and improve mobility and strength in post-menopausal women with CMC OA than a programme based solely on strength.