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Research: BONGI and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 181
Abstract
BONGI and COLLEAGUES, Department of Biomedicine, Division of Rheumatology, AOUC, Denothe Centre, University of Florence, Florence, Italy evaluated the efficacy of a rehabilitation program using connective tissue massage and joint manipulation in the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Background
Rehabilitation may contribute to the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) dealing with disabilities due to hand involvement. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a rehabilitation programme based on the combination of connective tissue massage and Mc Mennell joint manipulation specifically conceived for SSc patients' hands.
Methodology
Forty SSc patients were enrolled: 20 (interventional group) were treated for a 9-week period (twice a week, 1 h per session) with a combination of connective tissue massage, Mc Mennell joint manipulation and home exercise programme, and 20 (control group) were assigned only to home exercise programme. Patients of both groups were assessed at baseline (T0), after 9 week (T1) and at a 9 weeks follow-up (T2). They were evaluated for quality of life by SF-36 and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), hands involvement by Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) test, Cochin hand functional disability scale and the measurements of ROM.
Results
In the interventional group, fist closure, HAMIS test and Cochin hand functional disability scale improved at the end of the treatment (p < 0.0001) as well as HAQ, Physical Synthetic Index (PSI) and Mental Synthetic Index (MSI) of SF-36 scores (HAQ and PSI, p < 0.0001; MSI, p < 0.001). In the control group, the programme of home daily exercises improved only fist closure at the end of the treatment (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion
CONCLUSIONS: The combination of connective tissue massage, Mc Mennell joint manipulation and home exercise programme is effective in the rehabilitative treatment of SSc hands. This combined treatment may lead to an improvement of hand function and quality of life.
References
Bongi SM, Del Rosso A, Galluccio F, Sigismondi F, Miniati I, Conforti ML, Nacci F and Cerinic MM. Efficacy of connective tissue massage and Mc Mennell joint manipulation in the rehabilitative treatment of the hands in systemic sclerosis. Clinical Rheumatology. 28(10):1167-73. Oct 2009.
