Can specially trained physiotherapists improve the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A randomized health care trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of specially trained physical therapists (PT) on patterns and outcome of care, relating to inflammatory disease status as measured by disease outcomes.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients were allocated at random to specially trained PT, and to traditional PT. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 4 months by independent assessors.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant or clinically important difference in outcome between the 2 groups. The advice of specially trained PT significantly improved compliance with salicylates.


CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of this therapy was not demonstrated, likely due to incomplete compliance along the therapeutic chain, beginning with the PT's report, through a variety of possible responses, and ending with patient outcome.
Helewa
A
A
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Smythe
H A
HA
Goldsmith
C H
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010820:Physicians; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012219:Rheumatology; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012459:Salicylates