Impact of exercise programme on hand function in patients with recent RA
| Study | LoE | Population | n | Intervention | Intervention duration | Primary end point | Dominant hand grip | Baseline | Three months | Risk of bias |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manning et al11 | 1c | RA of ≤5 years' duration | 52 | Education, Self-Management, and Upper Extremity Exercise Training | 2 weeks | Change in Hand questionnaire DASH at week 12 | Measured by a hydraulic handgrip dynamometer in Newton | Mean (95% IQR) 184.8 (144.1; 225.5) | 3-month change*: +16.8 (−8.2, 41.7) | Unclear |
| 56 | No intervention | 223.8 (184.1; 263.5) | +3.7 (−20.6, 28.0) | |||||||
| Mathieux et al12 | 1c | RA of ≤2 years’ duration | 30 | Education and practice regarding joint protection with hand and wrist exercises | 0.5 day | Handgrip strength at week 12 | Measured by an air dynamometer in kPa | Mean (SD) 37.9 (21.7) | 3-month value: 53.9 (24.2)† | Unclear |
| 30 | No intervention | 35.7 (24.0) | 37.3 (22.9) |
*Comparison between intervention and non-intervention changes p=0.36.
†Comparison between intervention and non-intervention changes p<0.05.
DASH, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; LoE, level of evidence; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.