EFFECT OF TASK ORIENTED TRAINING WITH RESISTIVE RESISTANCE EXERCISES ON PAIN, FUNCTIONALITY, GRIP STRENGTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIAL

Abstract

Background:

A prevalent chronic autoimmune inflammatory illness that mostly affects the joints, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause pain, stiffness, muscular weakness, or functional impairments. Hand involvement is common or can significantly impair grip strength, hand function, or quality of life. An essential component of rehabilitation is exercise therapy, which comprises task-oriented training or resistive exercises.

Methodology:

A randomized controlled trial at Santosh college of Occupational therapy on RA patients aged 30– 65 years was conducted. The control group received ROM or therapeutic putty exercises, while the experimental group received task-oriented activities with resistance exercises for 45-minute sessions twice weekly for five weeks. Outcomes were assessed using HAQ-DI, DHI, VAS, grip strength, or pinch strength.

Result:

For every outcome measure, both groups showed statistically significant within-group improvements (p < 0.001). Comparisons across groups showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in terms of grip strength on the dynamometer (p = 0.012) or pinch gage (p = 0.042), as well as considerably higher decreases in HAQ-DI (p = 0.021), DHI (p = 0.041), or VAS (p = 0.047).

Conclusion:

The addition of task-oriented training to a standard resistive exercise or conventional therapy programme produces significantly greater improvements in pain, functional hand ability, grip strength, or quality of life in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. These findings support the integration of task-oriented training as an evidence-based adjunct within occupational therapy rehabilitation for RA.