Open AccessElastic wrist orthoses: Reduction of pain and increase in grip force for women with rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Nordenskiöld Ulla
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1790030308
Subject(s) - grip strength , wrist , medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , physical therapy , visual analogue scale , activities of daily living , physical medicine and rehabilitation , hand strength , splints , wrist pain , orthodontics , surgery
The aim of this study was to investigate effects of elastic wrist orthoses on pain, grip strength, and function. Twenty‐two women with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (mean age, 53 years) registered their pain on a visual analogue scale both with and without orthosis on the wrist of the dominant hand in three standardized activities of daily living (ADL) situations. Grip force at onset of pain was measured on an electronic instrument (Grippit) with three different grips. Pain was decreased by 39%, 42%, and 52% when using an orthosis in the three ADL situations. Anecdotally, the women noted that the splints provided support and decreased pain both in home, at work, and during leisure activities. Orthoses improved grip force at onset of pain by 26%, 22%, and 29%. All subjects showed reduced strength (20%–25%) when compared to grip strength in a group of women without rheumatoid arthritis.