Riassunto dello studio

48 patients with symptomatic and radiographically confirmed wrist osteoarthritis were randomized to receive a 12-week self-management program incorporating a neuromuscular joint-protective exercise therapy program (intervention; n=24) or a training program with range of motion (ROM) exercises only (control; n=24). The primary outcome of interest was the Patient-Rates Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score. Secondary outcomes of interest included grip strength, range of wrist motion, pain on a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed no significant differences in the primary outcome (PRWE) between the groups at 12 weeks. However, there was a significant improvement in the DASH score within the intervention group compared to the control group, and NPRS on load showed significant improvement within the intervention group, indicating some potential benefits of the neuromuscular joint-protective exercise therapy program over the ROM training program alone. Conclusively, this randomized controlled trial found that the neuromuscular joint-protective exercise therapy program was not superior to a ROM exercise program in reducing pain and improving function in patients with wrist osteoarthritis at 12 weeks.