title: Occupational therapy integrated with a self-administered stretching program on systemic sclerosis patients with hand involvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of occupational therapy (OT) intervention, integrated with a self-administered stretching program on the hands of patients with SSc, after one and three months of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 31 patients with SSc, randomly allocated to the occupational group (15 patients) or to the control group (16 patients). Each patient received specific outcome measures: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), HAQ, Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), reassessed after 1 (T1) and three months (T2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At T1 and T2 we found a statistically significant improvement from baseline values of COPM Performance and COPM Satisfaction in the OT group compared to baseline. At T2 HAQ values and Mental SF36 were also significantly improved. In the control group we found a statistically significant improvement of HAQ values and Mental SF36 at T1, confirmed at T2. COPM Performance was also significantly improved. The comparison between the two groups showed a greater improvement in the OT group concerning COPM Performance at T1 and T2. Mental SF-36 score greater improved in the control group at T1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that a rehabilitation program including OT and self-administered stretching exercises may be effective to improve and maintain hand function in patients with SSc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stefanantoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Iliana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sciarra
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iannace
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vasile
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sili Scavalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Massimiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maset
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. valeria.riccieri@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Riccieri
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012384:Rome; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome