Effects of finger function training using SARAH on finger function and joint synovial blood flow in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

[Objective]

We conducted hand function training for RA patients and examined the effects on hand function and synovitis.

  

[Methods]

This study was performed on 17 RA patients admitted to hospital for rehabilitation purposes between January 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019. Hand function training was performed for 17 RA patients daily for 4 weeks by using strengthening and stretching for rheumatoid arthritis of hand（SARAH）developed by Lamb et al in 2015. Functional evaluation included grip and pinch strength, hand pain VAS, and Quick DASH. RA disease activity and dysfunction were evaluated using joint ultrasound, DAS28, and HAQ.

  

[Results]

The median age was 71（54-83）years, and the median disease duration was 10（1-60）years. Of 17 RA patients, 8 had positive synovial blood flow. The functional evaluation showed a statistically significant improvement in grip and pinch strength, and VAS after 4 weeks in this positive group, but no improvement was seen in the negative group in any of the items. Joint synovial blood flow of RA showed a statistically significant improvement after week intervention. The blood flow negative group did not show any new synovitis after the intervention. In all groups, DAS28 and HAQ did not show statistically significant improvement after 4 weeks, and there was no significant change in RA symptoms during the intervention period.

  

[Conclusion]

It was suggested that SARAH is an effective treatment for improving the hand function without worsening RA synovitis in the short term intervention.