Hand exercises for rheumatoid arthritis improve function

Rheumatoid arthritis frequently affects the hands and wrists, and hand exercises are prescribed to improve mobility and strength. Now a large Cochrane review of the evidence suggests that while hand exercises do improve function, they may not make much difference to pain levels.

A total of seven studies including 841 people (aged 20 years to 94 years) were included in the review. Statistical analysis of the data found that it is actually uncertain if exercise improves hand function or pain in the short term but it is unlikely that it can have a negative effect.

“It probably slightly improves function but has little or no difference on pain in the medium and long term,” the team says. “It is uncertain whether exercise improves grip and pinch strength in the short term, and probably has little or no difference in the medium and long term.”

Click here to read the original research.

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