The effects of health resort treatment on hand function in female rheumatoid arthritis patients

Ewa Puszczałowska-Lizis, Paulina Murdzyk, Sławomir Jandziś, Marek Kiljański

E. Puszczałowska-Lizis, P. Murdzyk, S. Jandziś, M. Kiljański – The effects of health resort treatment on hand function in female rheumatoid arthritis patients; Fizjoterapia Polska 2018; 18(1); 74-82

Abstract

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic, immune-mediated disease of connective tissue. The disease mostly affects the hand joints, leading to weaker hand grip and functional limitations, which in many cases hinders everyday functioning and makes the patients dependent on the assistance of others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of health resort treatment on improving hand function in female RA patients in comparison with a group of female patients receiving ambulatory treatment.
Materials and methods. The study included a group of 120 women between 35 and 45 years of age suffering from RA, 60 of which were rehabilitated in the “Ziemowit” Health Resort in Rymanów-Zdrój. The other 60 female patients received ambulatory care in the Occupational Health Center in Sanok. Both pinch grip and key grip tests were performed as well as the Grind test. The analyses were conducted with the aid of the Wilcoxon test and the Pearson non-parametric chi-square test of independence.
Results. After the treatment was completed, the number of women who were capable of correctly performing the pinch and key grips and did not feel pain in the carpometacarpal joint of thumb in the Grind test increased in both groups. A statistically significant increase in the scores (in accordance with the adopted binary system) of the respective tests, which indicates an improvement in the outcome measures, was also observed.
Conclusions. The comprehensive health resort treatment and ambulatory care have similar effects on the improvement of hand function parameters in female RA patients.

Key words:

rheumatic diseases, functional limitations, rehabilitation

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