• Jose Manuel Pérez-Mármol, Ma Carmen García-Ríos, María Azucena Ortega-Valdivieso, Enrique Elías Cano-Deltell, María Isabel Peralta-Ramírez, Kelly Ickmans, and María Encarnación Aguilar-Ferrándiz.
• Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Biomedicina Program, University of Granada (UGR), Spain.
• J Hand Ther. 2017 Jul 1; 30 (3): 262-273.

Study DesignA randomized clinical trial.IntroductionRehabilitation treatments for improving fine motor skills (FMS) in hand osteoarthritis (HOA) have not been well explored yet.Purpose Of The StudyTo assess the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program on upper limb disability, independence of activities of daily living (ADLs), fine motor abilities, functional independency, and general self-efficacy in older adults with HOA.MethodsAbout 45 adults (74-86 years) with HOA were assigned to an experimental group for completing an FMS intervention or a control group receiving conventional occupational therapy. Both interventions were performed 3 times/wk, 45 minutes each session, during 8 weeks. Upper limb disability, performance in ADLs, pinch strength, manual dexterity, range of fingers motion, functional independency, and general self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and after 2 months of follow-up.ResultsFMS group showed significant improvements with a small effect size on manual dexterity (P ≤ .034; d ≥ 0.48) and a moderate-high effect on range of index (P ≤ .018; d ≥ 0.58) and thumb (P ≤ .027; d ≥ 0.39) motion. The control group showed a significant worse range of motion over time in some joints at the index (P ≤ .037; d ≥ 0.36) finger and thumb (P ≤ .017; d ≥ 0.55).ConclusionsA rehabilitation intervention for FMS may improve manual dexterity and range of fingers motion in HOA, but its effects on upper limb disability, performance in ADLs, pinch strength, functionality, and self-efficacy remain uncertain. Specific interventions of the hand are needed to prevent a worsening in range of finger motion.Level Of Evidence1b.Copyright © 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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