Combination of Conservative Therapies significantly improves osteoarthritis: JAMA
People with thumb-base osteoarthritis (OA) who receive a combination of conservative treatments, including education in self-management, ergonomics and hand exercises, may experience clinically meaningful improvements in hand function, a study suggests.Findings have been put forth in JAMA Internal Medicine.
A combination of conservative treatments is commonly used in clinical practice for thumb base osteoarthritis despite limited evidence for this approach.The recent study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of a 6-week combination of conservative treatments compared with an education comparator.
Researchers randomized 204 people with thumb-base OA (1:1) to receive education on self-management and ergonomics alone (comparator) or in combination with a base-of-thumb splint, hand exercises and diclofenac sodium 1% gel (intervention). The primary endpoints were improvements in hand function scores (0–30 point Functional Index for Hand OA) and pain (0–100 mm visual analog scale) at six weeks. The intervention group (n = 102) received education on self-management and ergonomic principles, a base-of-thumb splint, hand exercises, and diclofenac sodium, 1%, gel. The comparator group (n = 102) received education on self-management and ergonomic principles alone. Intervention use was at participants' discretion from 6 to 12 weeks.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.