Stronger Evidence is Needed to Determine if Exercise is Effective in Improving Hand Function in Women ≥ 50 Years of Age with Hand Osteoarthritis

Abstract

CLINICAL QUESTION: Is exercise effective in improving hand function in women 50 years of age and older with hand OA?

CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: The value of exercise in improving hand function in women ≥ 50 years of age with hand OA cannot yet be determined. Higher quality randomized controlled trials that investigate interventions consisting solely of exercise and which use standardized outcome measures specific to function in hand OA are needed. However, until stronger evidence is available in the literature, the intervention used by Stamm et al (2002) is reproducible, straightforward and low-risk, and therefore would be worth trying with the patient described in the clinical scenario in order to see if it has a positive impact on her hand function.