This is a cross-sectional study aimed at examining the effects of kinesiophobia and proprioception on disability and function in the rheumatoid hand, compared to healthy controls.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a fairly common chronic inflammatory disease. Up to 90% of wrist and finger joints are affected by RA. Thus, it is known that a decrease in performance-based function and disability occur in the hand. Kinesiophobia leads to avoidance behavior, especially in painful conditions. Kinesiophobia has been shown to be a significant mental factor leading to functional loss and disability in rheumatoid hand (RH). On the other hand, joint repositioning sense measurements, which show proprioceptive losses in the wrist and hand joints due to the effects of RA, have been demonstrated. However, as far as we know, the contributions of these mental and biological factors (kinesiophobia + proprioception) to the function and disability of RH have not been examined together.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
70
First, the demographic characteristics of all participants were recorded. For those who met the inclusion criteria, primary and secondary outcome measurements were performed by the same physical therapist in a single session
Sivas Cumhuriyet University
Sivas, Turkey (Türkiye)
Kinesiophobia
The participant's fear-avoidance behavior toward physical activity was assessed using the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale.
Time frame: First day
Wrist-thumb proprioception
Joint position sense for wrist extension and thumb carpometacarpal flexion was assessed with goniometry. Joint position sense was measured by the ability to actively replicate a pre-determined target angle (30 degrees). During the measurement, the participant's evaluated joints was brought to the target angle and held in this position for three seconds. The participant was asked to hold this position in their memory, after which the joints will be passively returned to the starting position. Then, the participant was asked to actively move their hand to these pre-determined positions. The result was determined by the average deviation angle obtained from the measurements repeated at thirty-second intervals. These measurement were only taken with the dominant hand.
Time frame: First day
Hand function
Hand function was evaluated with the Dellon Modifiye Moberg pickup test.
Time frame: First day
Hand disability
Hand disability was evaluated with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand
Time frame: First day
Demographic characteristics
Gender, age, employment and income status, smoking habits, and dominant hand information were recorded. Education below high school was categorized as low education. RA patients were also asked about the duration of their illness.
Time frame: First day
Disease activity
RA disease activity was assessed using the DAS28- theDiseaseActivity Score 28
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Time frame: First day
Physical activity level
: Participants' physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. An IPAQ score of less than 600 metabolic equivalents (METs) was defined as low activity
Time frame: First day
Isometric wrist extensor muscle strength measurement
Measurements were taken with the participant sitting upright, elbow close to the body and bent at 90 degrees, forearm supported on a surface in pronation, and the wrist-hand in space. Strength measurement was performed using the MAKE method with the wrist in 30 degrees of extension and a dynamometer placed on the back of the hand.. The average of three measurements taken one minute apart after a trial was recorded in kilograms. This measurement was only taken with the dominant hand.
Time frame: First day