Helewa A

Effects of occupational therapy home service on patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Because there is little information about the efficacy of home occupational therapy, we decided to assess the effects of a home service on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 105 patients aged 18-70 years, on stable medical therapy, were randomised to receive a 6-week comprehensive programme of occupational therapy (experimental group, 53 patients) or to receive no such treatment (control group, 52). At 6 weeks, control patients received the experimental regimen, and experimental patients were continued on treatment as needed up to 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks with a global functional capacity score (functional score). At 6 weeks the functional score for the experimental group was significantly higher than that for the control group (mean difference = 8.1, 95% Cl 1.7 to 15.8, p = 0.012). Control patients at 12 weeks showed a similar improvement to experimental patients at 6 weeks, and between 6 and 12 weeks the experimental patients were stable. Occupational therapy leads to a statistically significant and clinically important improvement in function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

THE MODIFIED SPHYGMOMANOMETER-AN INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE MUSCLE STRENGTH: A VALIDATION STUDY*

Abstract Is the modified aneroid sphygmomanometer a valid instrument to measure isometric quadriceps strength? Three techniques were compared: the cuff method, in which the original cuff and bladder were folded then secured by rubber bands; the bag method, in which the folded bladder was secured in a sewn bag; and a standard method, employing weights. Using a design to control for method and order of measurement, five physiotherapists measured quadriceps muscle strength in five rheumatoid patients. The design features explained 97% of the variation amongst the measurements. Order of observation and the observers had no effect on the measurements. Patients were quite different and methods of measurement were different. The cuff and bag methods obtained higher readings than the weights, and the bag readings were higher than the cuff. Compared to the standard weights, the sphygmomanometer methods were: equally sensitive and reproducible, performed in 1 6 th of the time, independent of gravity and potentially adaptable to 24 different muscle groups.

Manual physical therapy and exercise improved function in osteoarthritis of the knee

Source Citation Deyle GD, Henderson NE, Matekel RL, et al. Effectiveness of manual physical therapy and exercise in osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2000 ...

Service dogs improved the lives of persons with ambulatory disabilities

Source Citation Allen K, Blascovich J. The value of service dogs for people with severe ambulatory disabilities. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1996 Apr 3;275:1001-6.