Assistive Device for Hand Osteoarthritis

This program aims to:

• Encourage the use of assistive devices on a daily basis as the main form of joint protection.
• Encourage individual motivation, from the group in attendance, behavior change, developing the capacity of self-management of individuals of their health problems.

Will be held for 4 meetings with an average duration of 90 minutes. Meeting 1: Its proposal address the importance of self-care in the treatment of chronic diseases; knowing the OA of the hands and their main characteristics; recognize the importance of hand function for carrying out activities; understand the meaning of self-care and joint protection; motivation adherence to the program and behavior change.

Meeting 2: Present assistive devices as a protection feature; teach joint protection techniques and energy conservation focusing on the assistive device; deliver and demonstrate the use of assistive devices.

Meeting 3:Encouraging the adhesion of the techniques presented; making workshop for daily activities; verify the difficulties with devices use by the volunteers.

Meeting 4: Strengthening guidance given in previous meetings; make closing with the group to in connection with the program; motivated to continue carrying out the activities at home.

Inclusion criteria

• Hand OA diagnosis according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR )
• Be properly registered in the rheumatology clinic of Hospital das Clínicas

Exclusion criteria

• Surgical treatment or infiltration in the hands, in the last 6 months;
• Treatment of occupational therapy and / or physical therapy, or use of any TA feature (assist device or stent) in the last 6 months;
• Diagnosis of another rheumatologic disease or musculoskeletal system that compromise the hands associated.