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Effects of Rehabilitative Interventions on Pain, Function and Physical Impairments in People With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

By Ye, Liuzhen; Kalichman, Leonid; Spittle, Alicia; Dobson, Fiona; Bennell, Kim; Arthritis Research & Therapy, Vol. 13, No. R28
Publication Date: 2011

Literature review undertaken to provide evidence based knowledge on the treatment effects of different rehabilitation interventions for hand osteoarthritis. A computerized literature search of Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), ISI Web of Science, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and SCOPUS was performed. Included were studies that had a level 2b or higher on the Oxford levels of evidence, compared a rehabilitation intervention with a control group, and assessed at least one of the outcome measures of pain, physical hand function, or other measures of hand impairment. The eligibility and methodological quality of trials were systematically assessed by two independent reviewers using the PEDro scale. Treatment effects were calculated using standardized mean different and 95 percent confidence intervals. Ten studies were included, of which six were of higher quality. The rehabilitation techniques reviewed included three studies on exercise, two studies each on laser and heat, and one study each on splints, massage, and acupuncture. One higher quality trial showed a large positive effect of 12-month use of a night splint on hand pain, function, strength, and range of motion. Exercise had no effect on hand pain or function, although it may be able to improve hand strength. Low level laser therapy may be useful for improving range of motion. No rehabilitation interventions were found to improve stiffness. Implications for further research concerning the effects of rehabilitation interventions on specific goals for patients with hand osteoarthritis are discussed.
Published by: BioMed Central Ltd   (Website:http://www.biomedcentral.com)

Link to text: http://arthritis-research.com/content/13/1/R28
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