Article

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. INTRODUCTION: Rehabilitation
treatments for improving fine motor skills (FMS) in hand osteoarthritis (HOA)
have not been well explored yet. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:
To assess the
effectiveness of a rehabilitation program on upper limb disability, independence
of activities of daily living (ADLs), fine motor abilities, functional
independency, and general self-efficacy in older adults with HOA. METHODS: About
45 adults (74-86 years) with HOA were assigned to an experimental group for
completing an FMS intervention or a control group receiving conventional
occupational therapy. Both interventions were performed 3 times/wk, 45 minutes
each session, during 8 weeks. Upper limb disability, performance in ADLs, pinch
strength, manual dexterity, range of fingers motion, functional independency, and
general self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and
after 2 months of follow-up. RESULTS: FMS group showed significant improvements
with a small effect size on manual dexterity (P /= 0.48) and a
moderate-high effect on range of index (P /= 0.58) and thumb (P </=
.027; d >/= 0.39) motion. The control group showed a significant worse range of
motion over time in some joints at the index (P /= 0.36) finger and
thumb (P /= 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: A rehabilitation intervention for
FMS may improve manual dexterity and range of fingers motion in HOA, but its
effects on upper limb disability, performance in ADLs, pinch strength,
functionality, and self-efficacy remain uncertain. Specific interventions of the
hand are needed to prevent a worsening in range of finger motion. LEVEL OF
EVIDENCE: 1b.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
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Langue : ANGLAIS