STUDY DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. INTRODUCTION: Rehabilitation treatments for improving fine motor skills (FMS) in hand osteoarthritis (HOA) have not been well explored yet. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program on upper limb disability, independence of activities of daily living (ADLs), fine motor abilities, functional independency, and general self-efficacy in older adults with HOA. METHODS: About 45 adults (74 to 86 years) with HOA were assigned to an experimental group for completing an FMS intervention or a control group receiving conventional occupational therapy. Both interventions were performed 3 times/wk, 45 minutes each session, during 8 weeks. Upper limb disability, performance in ADLs, pinch strength, manual dexterity, range of fingers motion, functional independency, and general self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and after 2 months of follow-up. RESULTS: FMS group showed significant improvements with a small effect size on manual dexterity (p <= 0.034; d >= 0.48) and a moderate-high effect on range of index (p <= 0.018; d >= 0.58) and thumb (p <= 0.027; d >= 0.39) motion. The control group showed a significant worse range of motion over time in some joints at the index (p <= 0.037; d >= 0.36) finger and thumb (p <= 0.017; d >= 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: A rehabilitation intervention for FMS may improve manual dexterity and range of fingers motion in HOA, but its effects on upper limb disability, performance in ADLs, pinch strength, functionality, and self-efficacy remain uncertain. Specific interventions of the hand are needed to prevent a worsening in range of finger motion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

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