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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01635582

Home Based Computer Gaming Hand Exercise Regimen for People With Arthritis Affecting the Hands

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a novel computer gaming hand exercise regimen would improve hand function, decrease pain/ stiffness and be feasible in people with Rheumatoid arthritis or Osteoarthritis affecting the hands.

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Key information

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis Arthritis Arthritis, Rheumatoid Autoimmune Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Immune System Diseases Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Osteoarthritis of Hands Rheumatic Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

30 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

University of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada

About this study

A novel computer gaming hand exercise regimen has been designed for people with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or Osteo arthritis (OA) affecting the hands. The design allows a broad range of common objects of daily life to be seamlessly transformed into 'therapeutic' input devices by instrumenting with a small motion sense mouse. Based on individual abilities and treatment needs, objects are selected to train specific fine/ gross dexterous functions. The object manipulations (therapeutic exercises) are then used to control and play any commercially available computer game, making practice challenging and engaging.

The study is of six weeks duration comparing the computer gaming and conventional hand exercises in thirty people diagnosed with RA or OA affecting the hands. The investigators hypothesize that the game based exercises will improve hand function and reduce pain/stiffness and be feasible compared to the conventional hand exercises.A mixed-effect repeated measures analysis of variance will be conducted to test pre to post treatment outcomes. This will be the first study to evaluate the therapeutic effects and feasibility of the computer gaming hand exercise regimen in people with RA or OA.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women
  • Aged between 30-70 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis or Osteoarthritis of hands according to American college of rheumatology criteria
  • Must own a home computer and have basic working knowledge of computers.
  • Present with scores ranging from 0-75 on self-reported hand function ability with the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire

Exclusion criteria

  • Severely deformed finger joints
  • Neurological conditions of dominant side upper limb
  • Trauma in wrist or hand
  • Upper limb surgeries in previous six months
  • Co-existing hand conditions in the dominant hand
  • Problems with vision or hearing
  • Recent changes in drug regimen (Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or corticosteroids <3 months)
  • Major diseases of heart or lungs or liver
  • DASH scores 0-75.

Treatment and study plan

Conventional hand exercise program

Other

Exercises targeted to improve finger range of motion and hand strength.The exercises will be performed 30 minutes,four times per week for six weeks

Computer gaming hand exercise regimen

Other

Computer gaming hand exercise regimen using common objects of daily life. The hand exercises are coupled with commercially available computer games and will be performed 30 minutes,four times per week for six weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in Arthritis Hand Function Test (AHFT) at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    The Arthritis Hand Function Test(AHFT) is an 11-item performance based test to measure grip and pinch strength, dexterity, applied strength and applied dexterity in people with arthritis.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in Disabilities of Arm,Shoulder and Hand(DASH) questionnaire at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    The DASH is a self-report questionnaire, with 30 items designed to measure functional ability and symptoms in people with any of several musculo skeletal disorders of the upper limb

  2. Change from baseline in Paddle game based hand function assessment tool at 6 weeks

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks

    A novel, paddle game based hand function assessment tool has been developed designed to: 1) Objectively quantify the quality of finger hand movements (task performance) during manipulation of broad range of common objects independent of physical properties, anatomical requirements and task goal/context, 2) Quantify pain and joint stiffness during each object manipulation task, 3) Track changes in finger hand function over time and 4) Aid in clinical decision making

  3. Personal exercise log diary

    Time frame: End of 6 weeks of home exercise program

    Exercise compliance will be measured at the end of 6 weeks of home exercise program

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Manitoba

Other

Collaborators

  • Canadian Arthritis Network

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Home Based Computer Gaming Hand Exercise Regimen in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Osteoarthritis (OA) -A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Jul 9, 2012
Registry last updated
Oct 15, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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