Self-management approaches for osteoarthritis in the hand: a 2x2 factorial randomised trial

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

257 patients with hand osteoarthritis were randomized to either receive joint protection therapy, hand exercise therapy, both joint protection and hand exercise therapy, or no therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether joint protection or hand therapy decreased hand pain and disability due to osteoarthritis over a period of 12 months. OMERACT-OARSI and responder criteria- composite score were assessed, as were patient-reported and nurse-reported outcomes. Primary outcome of OMERACT-OARSI responder criteria was not significantly different between any two groups at either 3-, 6-, or 12-month follow-up. Analysis of global assessment of change suggested a higher percentage of patients rated their condition as improved in joint protection groups (versus no joint protection groups at 6 months) and hand exercise groups (versus no hand exercise groups) based on separate group analysis. The intervention was not associated with any adverse events. Further work is needed to conclude on the effectiveness of these treatment methods for patients with hand OA.