The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The Strengthening And stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) program is a tailored, 12-week hand and arm exercise program recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. It includes seven mob...

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Main Authors: Srikesavan, C, Williamson, E, Thompson, JY, Cranston, T, Swales, C, Lamb, SE
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020
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author Srikesavan, C
Williamson, E
Thompson, JY
Cranston, T
Swales, C
Lamb, SE
author_facet Srikesavan, C
Williamson, E
Thompson, JY
Cranston, T
Swales, C
Lamb, SE
author_sort Srikesavan, C
collection OXFORD
description <p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The Strengthening And stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) program is a tailored, 12-week hand and arm exercise program recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. It includes seven mobility exercises and four strength exercises against resistance. An online version of the SARAH program (mySARAH) has been developed to allow direct access for people with rheumatoid arthritis.</p> <p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical impact of mySARAH in people with rheumatoid arthritis.</p> <p><strong>Study design:</strong> Mixed-method, proof-of-concept study.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> mySARAH is a self-guided, online version of the SARAH program with six exercise training and review sessions. Participants were observed as they worked through four of the six online sessions. They were also asked to demonstrate the SARAH exercises. Participants undertook two sessions independently at home. At baseline and 12 weeks, hand pain, hand function, and grip strength were measured. At 12 weeks, feedback on mySARAH, and perceived recovery were also collected. Approximately one month later, a telephone follow-up was conducted to explore participants’ experiences with mySARAH. Pain, hand function, and perceived recovery were also assessed.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Eleven participants (Males/Females: 3/8) with a median (Inter-quartile range) age of 63 (17) years took part. Six participants completed all mySARAH sessions. 512 exercise and load-setting demonstrations were observed and 491 (96%) were performed correctly. Improvements in grip strength and hand function were observed with no increase in pain. Most of the participants reported improvement and provided positive feedback. All participants perceived mySARAH as a useful resource. Features to improve the online exercise diary such as recording and tracking exercise dose and face-to-face or remote support by phone or Skype from health professionals were suggested to optimize user engagement.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Initial evaluation of mySARAH indicates that mySARAH was feasible, acceptable, and beneficial to participants. Further iteration and evaluation are needed before large-scale implementation.</p>
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spelling oxford-uuid:ad5e9cbb-9bc7-475c-8d7f-87e465d105c42023-04-25T08:31:48ZThe online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept studyJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:ad5e9cbb-9bc7-475c-8d7f-87e465d105c4EnglishSymplectic ElementsElsevier2020Srikesavan, CWilliamson, EThompson, JYCranston, TSwales, CLamb, SE<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The Strengthening And stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) program is a tailored, 12-week hand and arm exercise program recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. It includes seven mobility exercises and four strength exercises against resistance. An online version of the SARAH program (mySARAH) has been developed to allow direct access for people with rheumatoid arthritis.</p> <p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical impact of mySARAH in people with rheumatoid arthritis.</p> <p><strong>Study design:</strong> Mixed-method, proof-of-concept study.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> mySARAH is a self-guided, online version of the SARAH program with six exercise training and review sessions. Participants were observed as they worked through four of the six online sessions. They were also asked to demonstrate the SARAH exercises. Participants undertook two sessions independently at home. At baseline and 12 weeks, hand pain, hand function, and grip strength were measured. At 12 weeks, feedback on mySARAH, and perceived recovery were also collected. Approximately one month later, a telephone follow-up was conducted to explore participants’ experiences with mySARAH. Pain, hand function, and perceived recovery were also assessed.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Eleven participants (Males/Females: 3/8) with a median (Inter-quartile range) age of 63 (17) years took part. Six participants completed all mySARAH sessions. 512 exercise and load-setting demonstrations were observed and 491 (96%) were performed correctly. Improvements in grip strength and hand function were observed with no increase in pain. Most of the participants reported improvement and provided positive feedback. All participants perceived mySARAH as a useful resource. Features to improve the online exercise diary such as recording and tracking exercise dose and face-to-face or remote support by phone or Skype from health professionals were suggested to optimize user engagement.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Initial evaluation of mySARAH indicates that mySARAH was feasible, acceptable, and beneficial to participants. Further iteration and evaluation are needed before large-scale implementation.</p>
spellingShingle Srikesavan, C
Williamson, E
Thompson, JY
Cranston, T
Swales, C
Lamb, SE
The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study
title The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study
title_full The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study
title_fullStr The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study
title_full_unstemmed The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study
title_short The online version of an evidence-based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A mixed-method, proof-of-concept study
title_sort online version of an evidence based hand exercise program for people with rheumatoid arthritis a mixed method proof of concept study
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