Grip strength improved in women with osteoarthritis who do hand exercises, according to study

A new study has showed that hand exercises can significantly help women with the pain of hand osteoarthritis, improve drip strength, hand function and also with fatigue where the pain from the disease has disturbed sleep.

In the study, 80 women with an average age of 60 and with osteoarthritis of the hands, were divided into two groups. The hand function and grip strength of both groups was recorded together with measures of pain. Although both groups were then given advice on hand osteoarthritis by an occupational therapist, only one group also received an exercise programme.

These exercises were aimed at improving grip strength and increasing the flexibility of the fingers, such as performing exercises with elastic bands used to provide resistance to the thumb to improve muscle strength, and by squeezing a 7cm rubber ball.

The participants were also telephoned eight times in the three-month study by their therapist to check on their progress and to be given reminders about the exercises. They were asked to exercise three times per week for three months, with each exercise being performed 10 – 15 times.  Before the study, the women were asked to identify several activities they found difficult because of hand pain.

Women who completed the exercise programme were much more likely to notice an improvement in these functional activities after the study than those who had only information provided. Exercise participants also had less pain and improved grip strength and surprisingly reported less fatigue.

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