Effect of the arthritis health professional on compliance with use of resting hand splints by patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

This study examined the effects of an occupational therapist's approach during the initial splinting session on the subsequent use of resting hand splints by patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Forty subjects were randomly assigned either to a standard treatment (control) group or to a compliance-enhancement (experimental) group, for whom the use of learning principles, sharing of expectations, use of a positive affective tone and behaviors by the therapist, and the assumption of responsibility by the patient were emphasized. During the 28-day period after splinting, patients in the experimental and control groups wore their splints an average of 23.3 and 18.1 days, respectively (p = 0.056). Nine subjects in the experimental group, but only four in the control group used their splints every day (p = 0.035). Knowledge of splint use correlated with actual use, regardless of the group assignment (p = 0.035). Change in the amount of wrist and hand pain was not significant in either group; however, the experimental group experienced a decrease in the duration of morning stiffness (p = 0.013). This intervention provides health professionals with a pragmatic and effective method to enhance compliance.