Link to the published paper: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03917-8
Lay Summary
Lay Title:
Arthritis Gloves: Do They Really Help and Are They Worth the Cost? A Study with Cost Analysis
Background:
Arthritis gloves, often prescribed for hand pain relief in people with rheumatoid arthritis, are believed to improve hand function and reduce pain and stiffness. Despite their widespread use, there’s limited evidence of their effectiveness. This study aimed to assess whether arthritis gloves really help reduce hand pain and improve function compared to placebo gloves.
Methods:
The study involved over 200 adults with rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis, experiencing persistent hand pain. Participants were randomly given either tight-fitting arthritis/ compression gloves or loose-fitting placebo gloves with no compression effect. They were assessed for hand pain during activities, hand pain at night, hand stiffness, duration of morning hand stiffness, and self-reported hand status after 12 weeks.
Results:
Both groups reported a slight improvement in hand pain, but there was no significant difference between those wearing arthritis gloves and those with placebo gloves in any of the outcomes measured. About half of the participants experienced some issues with the gloves, both the arthritis and placebo gloves, and a small percentage stopped wearing them. The study found that arthritis gloves did not provide additional benefits and were not cost-effective.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that arthritis gloves do not significantly improve hand pain, function, or stiffness, indicating they may not be a necessary treatment in routine clinical practice. Based on the study, therapists might suggest patients purchase regular three-quarter finger length gloves that are easy to find and cheaper for both healthcare services and patients. This advice helps healthcare professionals and patients make informed decisions about managing arthritis based on research evidence.