The effect of a long-term exercise programme on the rheumatoid hand.
Forty-four female patients with sero-positive active RA participated in a 48-month trial to assess the effect of simple hand exercises. Twenty-two patients in the test group were given a daily exercise regime of six exercises. The control group were not given any exercises. At the end of 48 months there was a statistically significant improvement in grip strength (P < 0.0001) and pincer grip strength (P < 0.0005) in the test group. There was a significant deterioration in the control group (P < 0.0000). A simple exercise programme is beneficial for the rheumatoid hand as far as grip and pincer grip strength are concerned.
Department of Rheumatology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
S W
SW
Brighton
J E
JE
Lubbe
C A
CA
van der Merwe
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome