E-ISSN 2602-3164
EJMI. 2018; 2(3): 161-167 | DOI: 10.14744/ejmi.2018.07279

The Relationship Between Hand Function and Activity Performance in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mustafa Can Kılıc1, Bilge Basakci Calık2, Veli Cobankara3, Ayse Balkarlı4
1Special Cagri Rehabilitation Center, Aydin, Turkey, 2Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale Universty, Denizli, Turkey, 3Department of Rheumatology, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey, 4Department of Rheumatology, University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hand function and activity performance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A total of 40 patients (mean age: 50.7±9.9 years) with RA were included in the study. The demographic data of the patients were recorded and the severity of pain was measured using a visual analogue scale. Hand grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer, and palmar grip strength, lateral grip strength, and tip grip strength were measured with a pinch meter. Hand function was evaluated using the Nine-Hole Peg Test, and the Michigan Hand Outcome Measure, and the Canada Occupation Performance Measure (COPM) was used to assess performance in daily activities. Results: There was a significant negative relationship between pain and COPM performance (p=0.008; r=-411) and satisfaction scores (p=0.006; r=-424), and there was a positive correlation between hand function scores and COPM performance (p=0.000, r=0.574) and satisfaction scores (p=.000; r=.638). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that pain and inadequate hand function influence the performance of activities in individuals with RA. Teaching strategies to cope with pain and to protect hand function will improve the ability to participate in daily activities for these individuals and will contribute positively to their independence.


Cite This Article

Kılıc M, Calık B, Cobankara V, Balkarlı A. The Relationship Between Hand Function and Activity Performance in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. EJMI. 2018; 2(3): 161-167

Corresponding Author: Mustafa Can Kılıc

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