Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

Air pressure splint effects on hand symptoms of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
McKnight PT, Schomburg FL
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1982 Nov;63(11):560-564
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: No. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

Thirty patients with symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of both hands were treated with an air pressure splint. Evaluations were made by measuring ring size, hand volume, range and rate of finger motions, grip strength and degree of pain and stiffness. One hand was randomly assigned to the treatment group while the other served as a control. Patients received the air splint treatment for 5 consecutive days. Data were analyzed by a 2-factor repeated analysis of variance to determine the effectiveness of 1 treatment, the cumulative effect of 5 treatments, the effect of the 5th treatment, and whether the results after the 1st treatment lasted until the 5th treatment. All measurements except hand volume significantly improved with the 1st treatment. Furthermore, the beneficial effects persisted throughout the treatment period. These data indicate the air splint treatment is effective in reducing swelling and other symptoms of RA in the hands.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help