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Exercise and hand osteoarthritis symptomatology: a controlled crossover trial
Rogers MW, Wilder FV
Journal of Hand Therapy 2009 Jan-Mar;22(1):10-18
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: Yes; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; 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*

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 and 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.

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