Effect of an Intensive Hand Exercise Program on Knowledge, Hand Strength and Daily Living Activity among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

2 Nursing Development Trainer, Center of Technical Training and Nursing Development, Assuit University Hospital, Assuit

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory polyarthritis disease that causes consistent joint
pain, joint damage and disability. Generally RA rehabilitative management goals are to prevent or
control joint injury, improve function and reduce pain. Objective: Assess knowledge, hand strength
and daily living activity among RA patients. Setting: The Rheumatology Department and
Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic of Assiut University Hospital. Subjects: Fifty female adult patients
with hand and wrist RA. Tools: Tool I: The Health Assessment interview schedule, tool II: Michigan
Hand outcome Questionnaire, and tool III: Hand grip strength test. Results: A highly significant
statistical improvement was detected in patients’ knowledge regarding RA, also in the total scores of
common daily activity, hand function and minimal hands/wrist pain. Conclusion: The intensive hand
exercise program has a tangible improvement on Rheumatoid Arthritis female patients hand strength
as well as their daily living activities. Recommendations: Written simple pictured booklet and
pamphlets about RA and its management should be provided and available for patients.

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