title: Effect of energy conservation and joint protection education in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: As there is relatively little information about the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) in RA a questionnaire was devised to assess whether patient knowledge and performance of joint protection manoeuvres improved following OT intervention and, if improved, whether this was sustained over 6 months. A photographic multiple choice questionnaire was devised covering major categories of activities of daily living. The study population consisted of 55 patients with RA attending a rheumatology clinic who had not previously had OT treatment. Patients had a single instruction/treatment session with an occupational therapist of 1-h duration. Prior to treatment the questionnaire was administered by an independent assessor who re-administered the questionnaire 1 month and 6 months after the OT session. Following treatment there was a significant increase in scores at 1 month compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in score at 6 months compared with 1 month. Qualitative analysis of age and sex showed no significant effects. OT leads to sustained improvement in patient knowledge and probably performance of joint protection manoeuvres in RA.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Purser
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hazleman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hazleman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors