Improved Hand Function, Self‐Rated Health, and Decreased Activity Limitations: Results After a Two‐Month Hand Osteoarthritis Group Intervention

Linda Bjurehed, Nina Brodin, Ulla Nordenskiöld, Mathilda Björk

Hand Osteoarthritis (hand OA) causes pain, impaired mobility and reduced grip force, which cause activity limitations. Osteoarthritis group interventions in primary care settings are sparsely reported. To evaluate the effects on hand function, activity limitations and self-rated health of a primary care hand OA group intervention. 64 individuals with hand OA agreed to participate, 15 were excluded due to not fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The 49 remaining (90% female) participated in OA group intervention at a primary care unit with education, paraffin wax bath and hand exercise over a six-week period. Data were collected at baseline, end of intervention and after one year. Instruments used were the Grip Ability Test (GAT), the Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI), the JAMAR (dynamometry), hand pain at rest using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulders and Hand (Quick-DASH) and the EuroQol VAS (EQ VAS). Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics. Hand function, activity limitation and self-rated health significantly improved from baseline to end of intervention, JAMAR (right hand, p<0.001, left hand, p=0.008), SOFI (p=0.011), GAT (p<0.001), hand pain at rest (p<0.001), PSFS (1, p=0.008, 2, p<0.001, 3, p=0.004), Quick- DASH (p=0.001), and EQ VAS (p=0.039)and the effects were sustained after one year. The hand OA group intervention in primary care improves hand function, activity limitation and self-rated health. The benefits are sustained one year after completion of the intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.