The efficacy of self-administered stretching for finger joint motion in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of self-administered stretching of each finger in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
Forty-five patients with SSc (32 with diffuse cutaneous SSc and 13 with limited cutaneous SSc) were given instructions on self-administered stretching and were directed to perform it every day. Individual fingers were maintained in a stretched position using the opposite hand for 10 seconds and this was repeated 3-10 times. To evaluate the effect of the stretching program, finger passive range of motion (ROM) was assessed using a goniometer on the first visit and after 1 month and 1 year of the stretching program. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was also assessed on the first visit and 1 year afterward.


RESULTS
The total passive ROM was significantly improved in each finger after 1 month of finger stretching. The total passive ROM was further improved or maintained within 1 year after the first visit. Although ROM was less in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc than in those with limited cutaneous SSc at the first visit, ROM increased significantly irrespective of disease duration or severity of skin sclerosis. Finger stretching may improve the finger function, since the HAQ score for hand functions such as eating and gripping was significantly decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Our original self-administered stretching program may be useful for improving finger joint motion in patients with SSc; future studies in various ethnic populations will be needed to determine the universal efficacy of this method.
Mugii
Naoki
N
Department of Dermatology and Division of Rehabilitation Science, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Ishikawa, Japan.
Hasegawa
Minoru
M
Matsushita
Takashi
T
Kondo
Miki
M
Orito
Hidemitsu
H
Yanaba
Koichi
K
Komura
Kazuhiro
K
Hayakawa
Ikuko
I
Hamaguchi
Yasuhito
Y
Ikuta
Munehiro
M
Tachino
Katsuhiko
K
Fujimoto
Manabu
M
Takehara
Kazuhiko
K
Sato
Shinichi
S
D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D045745:Scleroderma, Limited / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome