The Hand Osteoarthritis Exercise Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a hand exercise intervention on function and osteoarthritis symptoms in persons with hand osteoarthritis .

Detailed Description
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Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal diseases in an adult population. The disease may have large influences on an individual's function, health related quality of life and participation in the society. In recently published clinical guidelines for management, non-pharmacological approaches are considered as core treatments. Several studies have demonstrated that exercise may reduce pain and improve function in persons with knee OA, and a similar effect is suggested for hip OA. Regarding effect of exercises in hand OA, available research results are limited, and randomised controlled trials (RCT) of good quality are needed.

Official Title
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Osteoarthritis Care in Primary Health: Hand Exercises and Telephone Counselling for Hand OA - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Hand Osteoarthritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Hand exercise program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for clinical hand osteoarthritis FIHOA ≥ 5 at pre-baseline The persons must have a telephone Exclusion Criteria: Persons with cognitive dysfunction Persons who do not understand Norwegian language Persons with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis) or cancer Persons that have recently experienced severe trauma Persons that have recently gone through OA surgery or other major surgery

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Usual care<br> | |
| Experimental: Exercise group<br> | Other: Hand exercise program<br>* Hand exercise program three times/week for 12 weeks. In total four group sessions, otherwise home based. Weekly telephone calls from experienced physiotherapist/occupational therapist addressing adjustments of the exercise program and encouragement of program adherence.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The functional index for hand osteoarthritis (FIHOA) |  | 6 months | 
| Patient specific function scale (PSFS) |  | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hand joint pain (Numeric rating scale, 0-10) |  | 6 months | 
| Hand joint stiffness (Numeric rating scale, 0-10) |  | 6 months | 
| Fatigue (numeric rating scale, 0-10) |  | 6 months | 
| Patient global assessment of disease activity (Numeric rating scale, 0-10) |  | 6 months | 
| Exercise self-efficacy |  | 6 months | 
| Health related quality of life (15D) |  | 6 months | 
| Self-reported work ability and sick leave |  | 6 months | 
| Self-reported health care utilisation |  | 6 months | 
| Grip strength (JAMAR) |  | 6 months | 
| Grip size |  | 6 months | 
| Hand functioning (The Moberg Pick Up Test) |  | 6 months | 
| Global assessment of change of hand problem |  | 6 months |