Rheumatoid hand: home exercise and joint protection programme

• Autor(a) principal: Campos, Inês; Interna do 4º ano de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Centro de Medicina de Reabilitação da Região Centro – Rovisco Pais.
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Pinheiro, João Páscoa; Fisiatra, Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra e Professor da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra., Laíns, Jorge; Fisiatra, Centro de Medicina de Reabilitação da Região Centro – Rovisco Pais.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.25759/spmfr.28

Objectives: This paper is intended to analyze several, considered relevant, studies in order to draw up a leafletthat includes joint protection measures and an exercise scheme, for the patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Material and Methods: The authors performed a literature review on joint protection programs and handexercises for patients with RA; the authors selected five studies that had a higher study design quality andadequate outcomes: pain, inflammation, muscle strength and function.Results: The reviewed studies shown beneficial effects of several exercise and joint protection programs in termsof pain, stiffness, grip strength and upper limb function. The beneficial effects of these programs remain longterm.Just providing information is not enough - demonstration and repetition is required.Conclusions: The programs that combine measures of joint health, range of motion exercises and musclestrengthening, with increasing repetitions are more effective and better tolerated. Based on the data drawn fromthe various studies, the authors developed a leaflet for patients with RA, as a part of a comprehensiverehabilitation program.Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis; Hand; Exercise Therapy; Patient Education; Health Behavior.