Short-Term Effects of Occupational Therapy on Hand Function and Pain in Patients With Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: Secondary Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To assess the short-term effects of multimodal occupational therapy on pain and hand function in patients referred for surgical consultation due to first carpometacarpal (CMC1) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, patients with CMC1 joint OA referred for surgical consultation at 3 rheumatology departments were randomized to 3 months multimodal occupational therapy (including patient education, hand exercises, orthoses, and assistive devices) or usual treatment (OA information). Pain was measured on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain). Function included grip and pinch strength (Newtons), range-of-motion (palmar and CMC1 joint abduction [°]; flexion deficit in digits 2-5 [mm]), and self-reported Measure of Activity Performance of the Hand (MAP-Hand; range 1-4, 1 = no activity limitation) and short version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH; range 0-100, 0 = no disability). Between-group difference was assessed with follow-up values as dependent variables and group as an independent variable, adjusted for baseline values and time to follow-up.

Results: Among 180 patients (mean ± SD age 63 ± 8 years; 81% women), 170 completed the short-term follow-up assessment (3-4 months after baseline). Compared to usual treatment, occupational therapy yielded significantly improved pain at rest (-1.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.7, -2.0]; P < 0.001), pain following grip strength (-1.1 [-0.5, -1.7]; P = 0.001), grip strength (23.4 [95% CI 7.5, 39.3]; P = 0.004), MAP-Hand score (-0.18 [95% CI -0.09, -0.28]; P = 0.001), and QuickDASH score (-8.1 [95% CI -4.6, -11.5]; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The multimodal occupational therapy intervention had significant short-term effects on pain, grip strength, and hand function in patients with CMC1 joint OA.