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Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy and strength training among post-menopausal women with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. A randomized trial
Corresponding author. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, C/ Gascó Oliag, 5, 46010 Valencia, Spain . Tel.: (34) 963983853.
Improvements in disability scores were clinically relevant with both programs.
•
Mobility improved by 29% and pain was reduced by 57% in the combined program.
•
Strength improved in both groups but with a greater effect size in combined program.
•
Improvements in disability, pain, mobility and strength were maintained 1-month later.
ABSTRACT
Background
Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) greatly affects post-menopausal women. It is characterized by pain and functional deficits that limit the performance of activities of daily life and affect quality of life.
Purpose
Analyze the effects of 4/weeks strength training, with and without proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the disability among post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA. Secondly, analyze the effects on pain, mobility, and strength.
Study Design
Superiority randomized clinical trial.
Methods
42 women were randomly allocated to strength training program (SEG, n = 21) and to a strength training plus PNF therapy program (PNFG, n = 21). The Disability (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire), pain (visual analogue scale), mobility (Kapandji Test), and hand strength were evaluated pre, post intervention (at 4 weeks) and follow-up (at 8 weeks).
Results
Disability was significantly reduced in both groups after intervention, but reduction was statistically superior in PNFG (between-group mean difference [MD] = -16.69 points; CI = -21.56:-11.82; P<.001; d = 2.14). Similar results were observed for secondary outcomes: pain (MD = -2.03; CI = -2.83:-1.22; P<.001; d = 1.58), mobility (MD = 0.96; CI = 0.52:1.38; P<.001; d = 1.40) and strength (grip: MD = 3.47kg; CI = 1.25:5.69; P = .003; d = 0.97, palmar: MD = 0.97kg; CI = 0.14:1.80; P = .024; d = 0.72, tip: MD = 1.12kg; CI = 0.41:1.83; P = .003; d = 0.99 and key pinch: MD = 0.85kg; CI = 0.001:1.70; P = .049; d = 0.62). These improvements were maintained at follow-up.
Conclusions
The combination of PNF exercises and strength training is more effective for reducing disability pain and improve mobility and strength in post-menopausal women with CMC OA than a programme based solely on strength.
Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) presents with localized pain at the base of the thumb, restricted thumb mobility, and muscle weakness. It is one of the most common causes of upper limb-related disability in Europe and the United States.
The impact of osteoarthritis in the United States: a population-health perspective: a population-based review of the fourth most common cause of hospitalization in U.S. adults.
Proyecto EPISER 2000: prevalencia de enfermedades reumáticas en la población española. metodología, resultados del reclutamiento y características de la población.
Rev Esp Reumatol Órgano Of Soc Esp Reumatol.2001; 28: 18-25
The symptoms affect the women's ability to perform certain daily living activities such as opening a jar, turning a key in a lock, opening food packets, and wringing out laundry.
Activity limitations and participation restrictions in women with hand osteoarthritis: patients’ descriptions and associations between dimensions of functioning.
The main objective in the management of CMC OA should focus on controlling the symptoms, optimizing the functionality of the hand to favor the performance of daily living activities, and improving quality of life. For symptom management, there are 2 types of treatment for thumb CMC OA: surgery and conservative therapy.
There are different treatment modalities that should be considered. Pharmacological strategies include analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs or intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids (in special cases such as patients with active joint inflammation due to a flare-up of the disease), then there are also non-pharmacological alternatives (the use of orthoses, manual therapy and exercise programmes),
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. The effectiveness of a manual therapy and exercise protocol in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
and surgery. The latter option should be considered when the other strategies have not been effective at reducing the pain. The decision on the type of treatment must be a consensus between the patient and the health professional in which the individual factors of the patient (eg age, level of pain), the degree of affectation of the structure, comorbidities, and expectations are assessed.
Patients with thumb-base osteoarthritis scheduled for surgery have more symptoms, worse psychological profile, and higher expectations than nonsurgical counterparts: a large cohort analysis.
However, its prescription is not well-described and it is not always recommended. While the guidelines of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR),
Efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical treatment for hand osteoarthritis: a systematic literature review informing the 2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of hand osteoarthritis.
EULAR evidence based recommendations for the management of hand osteoarthritis: report of a task force of the EULAR Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics (ESCISIT).
recommend hand exercise therapy, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) does not include therapeutic exercise within its clinical guidelines for this pathology.
American college of rheumatology 2012 recommendations for the use of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies in osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.
There is inadequate evidence to determine the effectiveness of nonpharmacological and nonsurgical interventions for hand osteoarthritis: an overview of high-quality systematic reviews.
Furthermore, in spite of that, CMC OA is one of the most common forms of hand OA affecting post-menopausal women. To our knowledge, there are no specific exercise programmes for post-menopausal women providing comprehensive details of the training parameters (number of sessions per week, duration of the sessions, detailed description of the exercises, number of repetitions, rests, etc).
Ligamentous laxity, joint compression, and a lack of neuromuscular control are the consequences of CMC OA. For this reason, exercise programs should include exercises for neuromuscular control and the strengthening of the stabilizer muscles of the thumb to improve the functionality of the hand.
These types of exercise are the basis of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). PNF or the Kabat concept, also known as sensorimotor reprogramming, is defined as a technique that uses the sensory stimulation of both a superficial type (tactile) and deep type (joint positions or myotendinous stretch) to improve functional movements by facilitating and inhibiting the muscle groups. The therapist uses patterns of diagonal movement (abduction-adduction, flexion-extension) and spiral movement (rotation) to enable the patient to achieve the highest level of functionality.
This method has been used as a therapeutic intervention in the treatment of pain and functionality of different joints. The results show that PNF significantly reduces pain and improves functionality.
A structured exercise programme combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching or static stretching in posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow: a randomized controlled trial.
Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial.
However, to our knowledge, no clinical trials have been conducted in post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA.
Taking into account the lack of studies designed specifically looking into post-menopausal women, the primary objective of this study was to analyze the effects of strength training with and without proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy on the disability among post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA. Secondly, we have explored the effects on pain, mobility, and strength. We hypothesized that muscle strengthening combined with a neuromuscular facilitation therapy programme would provide greater benefits compared to strength training alone.
Methods
Trial design
A randomized superiority clinical trial involving the sampling of consecutive cases was carried out from September 2013 to May 2015 in terms of patient recruitment. The participants were randomly allocated to 2different groups using a simple (blocks number were not used) randomization sequence generation using the SPSS version 22.0 statistical program via an external assistant who was blinded to the study objectives. There was the strength training group (SEG) that received exclusively strength training and the neuromuscular facilitation group (PNFG) who received the same plus a proprioceptive exercise. The allocation ratio was 1:1 and for the allocation of the enrolled participants, a randomly ordered list was used. To reduce bias, the physical therapist who performed the assessments and the statistician were both unaware of the group allocation. In relation to the women who participated, they all received the same information: they would carry out a physiotherapy program consisting of a therapeutic exercise program 3 times a week for a month. They didn't know if their exercise program was just about strength or whether it included both strength and proprioception.
All participants were informed in advance about the purpose and content of this research. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants. The study conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki, and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Valencia under registration number H1366799480593.
Participants
Forty-six women diagnosed with thumb CMC OA volunteered to participate in this study. They were recruited from several clinics and hospitals in Valencia. The inclusion criteria were as follows: post-menopausal women over 18 years old diagnosed with thumb CMC OA stage ≤ 3 on the Eaton-Littler Burton classification
according to a clinical and radiological examination. The exclusion criteria were women who had previously received surgery for CMC OA and women with cognitive alterations that prevented them from carrying out the performance of the proposed exercises. This was as well as women who had received hormone replacement therapy and those who ingested cartilage, calcium or vitamin D supplements, who were excluded. To detect whether cognitive alterations were present or not, it was verified through their medical history that the patients did not present with any neurological problems or legal incapacitations. Also, during the signing of the consent form, it was determined that they were autonomous women who were able to respond to the indications proposed by the evaluator. The participation of women who had radiologically confirmed lesions was not considered. The participants were instructed to not begin any new physical therapy or medical treatment during the month of the intervention and during the training sessions. They were asked this weekly to check that there were no changes in treatment.
Intervention
As reported, the participants were allocated to 1 of the 2 different intervention groups. Treatments were applied by one physiotherapist with more than 10 years experience in physical treatment. During the intervention period, the participants followed their usual treatment regimen. None of them required the use of orthoses.
Strength training group (SEG)
The SEG performed a 4-week strength training programme. This programme included warm-up exercises focused on joint mobility and strength training at a frequency of 3 sessions per week (a total of 12 sessions). All sessions took place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 09:00 and 11:00 AM, lasting 30 minutes each (Table 1).
Table 1Strength and proprioceptive training
1. WARM-UP EXCERCISE (SEG AND PNFG) Patient position: sitting, elbow at 90°, forearm supported on the stretcher with neutral pronosupination. Generalized joint mobility exercises: (10 repetitions of each exercise with a 1-min rest between each set): Wrist flexion-extension Flexion-extension of metacarpophalangeal joints Flexion-extension of interphalangeal joints
2. STRENGTH TRAINING (SEG AND PNFG) Patient position: supine position, shoulder in 30° abduction, elbow in 9° flexion and resting on the stretcher, forearm in neutral pronosupination. 3 sets of 10 repetitions each, with a 60-s break between sets and a 30-s rest between repetitions (between exercises). Contractions (5 s) against maximum resistance: the Squeeze Eggs material was used
3. PNF EXERCISES (PNFG ONLY) Patient position: supine position, shoulder in 30° abduction, elbow in 90° flexion and resting on the stretcher, forearm in neutral prono-supination. PNF pattern used: hand variation A-B and B-A. In this variation the participant must perform a flexion, adduction and opposition movement that will be resisted in an isometric way by the physiotherapist. After 5 s of contraction, you will need to extend and abduct your thumb. Technique used: rhythmic stabilization: alternate isometric contractions against resistance, the physiotherapist resists the contraction of the agonist muscle group and after 5 s contraction, to resist the antagonist muscle group, again resisting for 5 seconds. 3 sets of 15 repetitions each, with a 60-s break between sets and a 30-s rest between repetitions (between exercises). Hand position of the physiotherapist: Pattern: A-B: fingers extended over the thenar and hypothenar eminence. Hand position of the physiotherapist: Pattern: B-A: hand of the physiotherapist on the anterior face of 1/3 distal of the forearm.
SEG: strength training group PNFG: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group; PNF: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
The PNFG performed the same warm-up and strength training as the SEG in addition to a programme based on rhythmic stabilization for the thumb. Three sessions were performed per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, totaling 12 sessions. All sessions took place between 09:00 and 11:00 AM, lasting 45 minutes each (Table 1).
Outcomes
Measurements were taken at baseline (T0), at 4 weeks (T1), and at 8 weeks (follow-up, 4 weeks after finishing the training programmes; T2) during which time the participants in both groups performed their customary daily living activities.
The effects of the interventions on the variables of disability (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire: DASH), on the pain perceived (visual analogue scale: VAS), on mobility (oppositional movement of the thumb; Kapandji Test), and on hand strength were assessed. The tests were performed by an external evaluator who was unaware of the participant's treatment group. The assessment was carried out following the protocol of the American Society of Hand Therapists.
Versión española del cuestionario DASH. Adaptación transcultural, fiabilidad, validez y sensibilidad a los cambios [Spanish version of the DASH questionnaire. Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, validity and responsiveness].
was used, which is a specific instrument for measuring the disability caused by upper limb conditions. DASH consists of 30 items and 2 modules that are optional, with 4 items each. Each item is scored from 1 to 5 with the values increasing depending on the intensity of the symptoms. The item scores are added to obtain a total score which can range from 30 and 150 points. This becomes a scale of 0 (best possible score) to 100 (worst score possible). DASH showed excellent results in terms of the internal consistency for rheumatoid arthritis (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97)
Versión española del cuestionario DASH. Adaptación transcultural, fiabilidad, validez y sensibilidad a los cambios [Spanish version of the DASH questionnaire. Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, validity and responsiveness].
The intensity of perceived pain at rest was measured using a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) whose reliability and validity has been previously reported for chronic pain. The VAS consisted of a horizontal continuous line on which the participants rated their perceived pain intensity, with 0 being “no pain” and 10 being maximum tolerable pain.
Mobility: oppositional movement of the thumb. Kapandji Test
The Kapandji score was used to assess the opposition of the thumb. The patients had to touch the following with the distal phalanx of their thumb: the radial side of the proximal phalanx of the index finger, the radial side of the middle phalanx of their index finger, the tip of their index finger, the tip of their middle finger, the tip of their ring finger, the tip of their little finger, the distal interphalangeal joint crease of their little finger, the proximal interphalangeal joint crease of their little finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint crease of their little finger, and the distal palmar crease. The score ranged from 1 to 10. The higher the score, the better the results.
Isometric grip strength was measured using the SAEHAN Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer (MSD Europe BVBA, Londerzeel – Belgium). The assessment of the various pinch styles was carried out using the SAEHAN Hydraulic Pinch Gauge (MSD Europe BVBA, Londerzeel - Belgium – Europe). This device measures the isometric strength of 3 types of pinch: palmar pinch (between the thumb, index, and middle fingers), tip pinch (thumb tip to the index fingertip), and key pinch (the thumb pad to the lateral aspect of the middle phalanx of the index finger). The participants performed 3 repetitions of isometric contractions lasting 5 seconds. There was a 60 second break to avoid muscle fatigue.
G-Power version 3.1 was used for a priori sample size calculation (Institute for Experimental Psychology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany). The sample size was estimated based on the inclusion of 2 study groups measured at 3 time points, expecting a medium effect size (d = 0.5) for the primary outcome (DASH). Furthermore, with a type I error of 5% and a type II error of 10%, a minimum sample size of 36 participants (18 in each group) was required. Finally, a 10% risk of drop-out rate was included in the estimation, with 40 women being the final sample size.
Statistical methods
Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS software (version 26.0; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). The normality of the data was checked using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The results are shown according to the mean and standard deviation. The anthropometric data from both groups was compared using the independent t-test and Chi-square (χ2) test.
To evaluate the effect of the interventions on the variables, as well as the data from DASH, VAS, and Kapandji, and the variables of grip, palmar, key and tip pinch in both groups, mixed ANOVA was used (Time [T0, T1 and T2] x Group [SEG and PNFG]) with repeated measures for the time factor. The ANOVA p results were interpreted as follows: p0 indicates between-group differences; p1 indicates within-group differences at T0 and T1; p2 shows the within-group differences at T0 and T2 and p3 shows the within-group differences at T1 and T2. The Bonferroni correction was applied to avoid type I errors in the multiple comparisons when the ANOVA analysis indicated significant differences. Effect size (Cohen d and η2p) was interpreted as small (d = 0.2; η2p = 0.01), medium (d = 0.5; η2p = 0.06) and large (d > 0.8; η2p > 0.14). Differences whose probability of being due to chance of less than 5% (P < .05) were accepted as significant.
Results
Participants
A total of 46 women were assessed for eligibility, 3 failed to meet the inclusion criteria, and 1 declined to participate. Accordingly, the 42 final participants were randomized and all of them completed the study (SEG = 21; PNFG = 21). Participant attendance in both the SEG and PNFG was 100%. No incidents or harm were reported at any time during the interventions (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1Flowchart according to CONSORT Statement for the Report of randomized trials.
The demographic and clinical characteristics for both groups at baseline are described in Table 2. No significant differences were found, so the study groups were determined to be comparable in terms of age and the time of menopause.
Note. Data are expressed as mean (standard deviation). SEG = strength training group; L/R = left/right; PNFG = proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group; P = significance; CI = confidence interval; χ2 = chi-square.
Table 3 shows the results of the main effects obtained through the ANOVA analyses. Statistically significant effects were obtained for the time and group factors, as well as on the time-by-group interaction for all variables except for the palmar pinch and key pinch in the group factor.
Table 3Main effects result for the ANOVA models
DASH
VAS
Kapandji test
Grip pinch
Palmar pinch
Pinch type
Key pinch
EFFECT TIME
F
F(1.48; 59.34) = 100.66
F(1.38; 55.16) = 110.00
F(1.47; 58.7) = 146.92
F(1.52; 60.66) = 83.96
F(2; 80) = 77.00
F(1.61; 64.38) = 77.64
F(2; 80) = 123.37
P
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
η2
0.716
0.733
0.786
0.677
0.658
0.660
0.755
EFFECT GROUP
F
F(1; 40) = 30.36
F(1; 40) = 11.24
F(1; 40) = 15.12
F(1; 40) = 4.25
F(1; 40) = 3.77
F(1; 40) = 6.22
F(1; 40) = 3.19
P
<.001
.002
<.001
.046
.059
<.001
0.082
η2
0.432
0.219
0.274
0.096
0.086
0.134
0.074
INTERACTION EFFECT
F
F(1.48; 59.34) = 40.71
F(1.38; 55.16) = 62.32
F(1.47; 58.7) = 26.85
F(1.52; 60.66) = 49.23
F(2; 80) = 33.91
F(1.61; 64.38) = 77.64
F(2; 80) = 41.60
P
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
<.001
η2
0.504
0.609
0.402
0.552
0.459
0.496
0.510
VAS = visual analogue scale; DASH = disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand; P = significance; η2 ETA Square = effect size; F = statistical F.
The results of the variables related to disability, pain, and mobility are shown in Table 4. It is noted that at baseline (T0), no significant differences were found between PNFG and SEG in any of the variables analysed.
Table 4Comparison of disability, pain and mobility variables for the SEG and PNFG groups in pre- (T0), post-intervention (T1) and follow-up (T2)
T0
T1
T2
Within-group differences
Mean [95% CI] p1 (T1-T0); d
Mean [95% CI] p2 (T2-T0); d
Mean [95% CI] p3 (T2-T1); d
DASH
PNFG
34.76 (13.34)
14.41 (7.58)
11.71 (7.38)
-20.34 [-24.48:-16.21] <.001; 1.88
-23.05 [-27.73:-18.36] <.001; 2.14
-2.71 [-5.09:-0.32] 0.022; 0.36
SEG
37.74 (8.72)
31.11 (8.04)
33.89 (8.60)
-6.63 [-10.76:-2.49] 0.001; 0.75
-3.85 [-8.54:0.84] .14; -
2.78 [0.39:5.16] 0.018; 0.33
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
-2.98 [-10.00:4.05] 0.40; -
-16.69 [-21.56:-11.82] <0.001; 2.14
-22.18 [-27.17:-17.18] <0.001; 2.77
VAS
PNFG
5.91 (2.22)
2.54 (1.64)
2.37 (1.41)
-3.37 [-3.92:-2.83] <0.001; 1.74
-3.55 [-4.24:-2.85] <0.001; 1.90
-0.18 [-0.51:0.16] 0.48
SEG
5.26 (0.85)
4.57 (0.79)
4.94 (0.89)
-0.70 [-1.24:-0.15] 0.009; 0.84
-0.32 [-1.02:0.37] 0.59; -
0.37 [0.40:0.71] 0.024; 0.44
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
0.65 [-0.40:1.70] 0.22; -
-2.03 [-2.83:-1.22] <0.001; 1.58
-2.58 [-3.31:-1.84] <0.001; 2.18
Kapandji Test
PNFG
7.48 (1.12)
9.67 (0.48)
9.67 (0.58)
2.19 [1.76:2.63] <0.001; 2.54
2.19 [1.75:2.63] <0.001; 2.46
0.00 [-0.22:0.22] 1; -
SEG
7.43 (0.87)
8.71 (0.84)
8.05 (0.92)
1.29 [0.85:1.72] <0.001; 1.50
0.62 [0.18:1.06] 0.003; 0.69
-0.67 [-0.89:-0.45] <0.001; 0.75
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
0.05 [-0.58:0.67] 0.88; -
0.96 [0.52:1.38] <0.001; 1.40
1.62 [1.14:2.10] <0.001; 2.11
Data are expressed as mean (standard deviation).
Statistically significant values are shown in bold.
SEG = strength training group; PNFG = proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group; VAS = visual analogue scale; DASH = disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand; P = significance. CI = confidence interval of the mean difference; D = Cohen's d effect size; T0 = pre-intervention; T1 = post-intervention; T2 = after 1 month of the intervention; p0 = between-group differences; p1 = within-group differences between T1 and T0; p2 = within-group differences between T2 and T0; p3 = within-group differences between T2 and T1.
The within-group analysis of the DASH variable confirmed that after the intervention (T1), both groups significantly decreased their scores on that scale. Additionally, at the follow-up (T2), PNFG showed a further decrease in score compared to T1. The data of the results between the groups showed that after the intervention, the score was statistically lower both at T1 and T2 in PNFG.
The intra-group analysis showed that the pain decreased significantly following the intervention (T1) in both groups. This improvement was maintained at follow-up (T2) only for PNFG. In addition, the between group analyses showed that the pain was significantly lower at both T1 and T2 in the PNFG compared to SEG with a large effect size.
The results of the Kapandji test within the groups showed that mobility increased significantly in both PNFG and SEG after the intervention (T1). However, this improvement was maintained over time (T2) only in PNFG without significant changes between T2 and T1. At the between-group level, the improvement in mobility was statistically greater in PNFG at both T1 and T2, with a large effect size both times.
Table 5 describes the results of the strength variable in each of its modalities: grip, palmar, tip, and key pinch. It was noted at baseline (T0) that no significant differences were found between the groups for any of the strength variables, whereby both groups showed similar levels of muscle strength. The intra-group analysis showed that both groups significantly improved in strength after the intervention (T1), with this improvement being maintained in the follow-up (T2) only in PNFG. The results between groups confirmed that at both T1 and T2, the strength was statistically greater in PNFG than in SEG for the grip, tip, and key pinch modalities.
Table 5Comparison of strength variables for the SEG and PNFG groups in pre (T0)-, post-intervention (T1) and follow-up (T2)
T0
T1
T2
Within-group differences
Mean [95% CI] p1 (T1-T0); d
Mean [95% CI] p2 (T2-T0); d
Mean [95% CI] p3 (T2-T1); d
Grip Pinch (kg)
PNFG
14.05 (5.22)
19.24 (3.71)
19.14 (3.76)
5.19 [4.17:6.21] <0.001; 1.15
5.10 [4.00:6.19] <0.001; 1.12
-0.10 [-0.67:0.48] 0.97; -
SEG
14.69 (2.90)
15.77 (3.41)
14.98 (3.34)
1.08 [0.06:2.09] 0.035; 0.34
0.29 [-0.80:1.38] 0.88; -
-0.79 [-1.36:-0.21] 0.004; 0.23
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
-0.64 [-3.28:1.99] 0.63; -
3.47 [1.25:5.69] 0.003; 0.97
4.16 [1.95:6.38] <0.001; 1.17
Palmar Pinch (kg)
PNFG
2.30 (1.28)
4.02 (1.58)
4.15 (1.57)
1.72 [1.37:2.07] <0.001; 1.20
1.85 [1.48:2.22] <0.001; 1.29
0.13 [-0.22:0.47] 0.74; -
SEG
2.50 (1.00)
3.06 (1.02)
2.73 (1.05)
0.55 [0.20:0.91] 0.001; 0.55
0.23 [-0.14:0.60] 0.220; -
-0.32 [-0.67:0.02] 0.07; -
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
-0.20 [-0.91:0.51] 0.58; -
0.97 [0.14:1.80] 0.024; 0.72
1.42 [0.59:2.25] 0.001; 1.06
Tip Pinch (kg)
PNFG
1.89 (0.91)
3.87 (1.36)
3.96 (1.38)
1.99 [1.56:2.41] <0.001; 1.71
2.08 [1.62:2.53] <0.001; 1.77
0.09 [-0.17:0.35] 0.78; -
SEG
2.26 (0.74)
2.75 (0.86)
2.48 (0.89)
0.50 [0.07:0.92] 0.018; 0.61
0.22 [-0.24:0.68] 0.56; -
-0.28 [-0.54:-0.01] 0.036; 0.31
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
-0.37 [-0.88:0.15] 0.15; -
1.12 [0.41:1.83] 0.003; 0.99
1.49 [0.76:2.21] <0.001; 1.28
Key Pinch (kg)
PNFG
3.70 (1.41)
5.55 (1.64)
5.53 (1.46)
1.85 [1.50:2.19] <0.001; 1.21
1.83 [1.53:2.14] <0.001; 1.28
-0.02 [-0.31:0.28] 1.00; -
SEG
3.88 (1.04)
4.70 (1.01)
4.11 (1.13)
0.81 [0.47:1.16] <0.001; 0.80
0.23 [-0.07:0.54] 0.17; -
-0.58 [-0.87:-0.29] <0.001; 0.55
Between-group differences Mean [95% CI] p0; d
-0.18 [-0.96:0.60] 0.64; -
0.85 [0.001:1.70] 0.049; 0.62
1.42 [0.60:2.24] <0.001; 1.09
Data are expressed as mean (standard deviation).
Statistically significant values are shown in bold.
SEG = strength training group; PNFG = proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group; p = significance; CI = confidence interval of the mean difference; d = Cohen's d effect size; T0 = pre-intervention; T1 = post-intervention; T2 = after 1 month of the intervention; p0 = between-group differences; p1 = within-group differences between T1 and T0; p2 = within-group differences between T2 and T0; p3 = within-group differences between T2 and T1.
This study analysed the effectiveness of a programme combining neuromuscular facilitation and strength training versus an exclusively strength training programme in post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA regarding disability, pain, mobility, and strength. As shown by our results, after both interventions, the degree of disability and perceived pain decreased. There was also an improvement in mobility and strength (in all modes: grip, palmar, tip and key pinch). However, as we hypothesized, the intervention program that combined strength exercises and PNFG exercises showed a significantly greater improvement. To our knowledge, this is the first study to date that has carried out a programme in which post-menopausal women exclusively participated. This is why the results obtained can hardly be compared with those of other studies.
The DASH questionnaire is a tool designed to evaluate disorder and to measure the disability of the upper extremities which can be related to function. After the intervention, the DASH score in the SEG decreased 6.63 points while in the PNFG, the decrease was by 20.35 points with the differences between both being statistically significant. The improvement obtained, in the case of SEG, was not maintained over time (T0 = 37.74; T1 = 31.11; T2 = 33.89). In contrast, the PNFG result was maintained at the follow-up (T0 = 34.76; T1 = 14.41; T2 = 11.71). The higher the DASH score, the greater the degree of disability. Our results are in line with those obtained by Hagert et al.
and they support the conclusion that proprioceptive exercises promote motor coordination, making gripping and pinching movements more efficient, which improves the functionality of the hand. The work carried out by Franchignoni et al.
Minimal clinically important difference of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand outcome measure (DASH) and its shortened version (QuickDASH).
determined that the lower limit of the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for the DASH is set at 10.83 points, while the upper limit at 15 points. Taking this data into account and comparing it with our results, only PNFG achieves this MCID. The limitations in daily life activities have been identified as the main factor that reduces the quality of life of patients with CMC OA.
Activity limitations and participation restrictions in women with hand osteoarthritis: patients’ descriptions and associations between dimensions of functioning.
Numerous papers have argued that proprioception is crucial for the development of everyday manual tasks such as fastening buttons, writing, and picking up small objects.
Activity limitations and participation restrictions in women with hand osteoarthritis: patients’ descriptions and associations between dimensions of functioning.
Proprioception alterations in arthritic pathologies cause an alteration in the distribution of loads at the joint, affecting the integrity of the cartilage. In turn, these changes cause greater pain and a loss of strength which results in a limitation of functional capacity.
Pain is one of the main symptoms in women with CMC OA. Our results show that following the intervention, the perceived pain in SEG was reduced by 13.12% (0.69 points), while this reduction was 57.02% (3.37 points) for PNFG, with this difference being statistically significant. It is estimated that in patients with chronic pain, a reduction of approximately 2points or a reduction of approximately 30% represents a clinically important difference.
This reduction only occurred in the PNFG. In the follow-up evaluation (T2) in the SEG, the perceived pain increased 0.37 points compared to the post-treatment evaluation (T1). This is unlike the PNFG in which the pain perceived in T2 decreased by 0.17 points. Recent research
maintains that the concept of central sensitization may be the cause of the chronicity and recurrence of pain in thumb osteoarthritis. Furthermore, in the case of women, it is necessary to add that the changes related to the period of transition to menopause can play a fundamental role in the experience of pain. Fluctuations in oestrogen levels, along with those of other reproductive hormones during perimenopause and post-menopause, have an impact on pain modulation and sensitivity.
Our results confirm this idea, although on the other hand, they also imply that if strength training is combined with proprioceptive muscle facilitation exercises, the improvement is significantly greater.
We used the Kapandji test to evaluate the impact of interventions on thumb mobility. The immediate effects of the interventions confirmed an improvement in mobility for both intervention groups. SEG mobility improved by 17.22% while the PNFG improvement was 29.27%, with the difference between both groups being statistically significant. Importantly, only PNFG maintained the effects in the follow-up (T2). There is increasing evidence that oestrogens play a relevant role in maintaining the homeostasis of joint tissues and, therefore, of the joint itself.
Oestrogen deficiency has a great influence on bone formation, the physiological metabolism of bone cells, and the production of inflammatory-related factors associated with chondrocytes.
Zhang E, Zhang H, Liu F, et al. Estrogen exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB pathway through binding with estrogen receptor β on synovicytes of osteoarthritis. 2016;32(12):1605-1609.
The sum of these factors causes alterations in the joint cartilage, limiting mobility and consequently the quality of life of women. This is why interventions are needed to alleviate these effects.
In terms of the strength variables, the SEG showed an improvement in grip of 1.08 kg, while for the palmar it was 0.56 kg, 0.40kg for the tip pinch, and for the key pinch, it was 1.97 kg. In the case of the PNFG, the improvements were 5.19kg, 1.72kg, 1.97kg, and 1.76 respectively. In the work of Villafaine et al.,
Minimal clinically important difference of grip and pinch strength in women with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis when compared to healthy subjects.
it has been found that to detect important changes in subjects with CMC OA, there must be an improvement of 0.84 to 1.12 kg for grip, 0.23 to 0.33 for tip, and 0.30 to 0.35 kg for the tripod or palmar pinch. Although minimal clinically important differences are observed in both groups, the improvements are statistically better in the PNFG and they are also maintained in the follow-up. There is evidence confirming that the hormonal changes during menopause have an effect on the decrease in lean mass.
confirms that a decrease in muscle strength can be considered a risk factor that causes pain and disability in osteoarthritis processes. This is because, in the performance of functional daily life tasks, a person needs to be able to generate grip forces between 20 - 25 Kg.
Validating the capability for measuring age-related changes in grip-force strength using a digital hand-held dynamometer in healthy young and elderly adults.
Effectiveness of an overall progressive resistance strength program for improving the functional capacity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
reported that after a strength programme, the participants showed improved hand function. Our results confirm this hypothesis as both programmes improved the level of functionality in post-menopausal women with CMC OA. To our knowledge, this is the first work that uses proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques combined with strength training for post-menopausal women.
Limitations
The main limitation in relation to the generalizability of the current study is the small sample size, although the number of recruited participants was sufficient in accordance with an a priori power analysis. Another limitation was that the VAS was used to assess pain. It would have been interesting to use the pressure pain threshold. Furthermore, the study design did not include a control group or a group that performed only proprioceptive muscle facilitation exercises while not including a follow-up measurement at 3 and 6 months to analyze the long-term effects of the treatment. Future studies in larger populations and including follow-up measurements should be performed to confirm our findings and the duration of the beneficial effects.
Conclusions
The results obtained confirm the hypothesis proposed by this study. The combination of proprioceptive muscle facilitation exercises and strength training is more effective for reducing disability and pain, as well as for the improvement of mobility and strength in post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA than a programme based solely on strength training.
Author Contributions
CCA, CI and JMT, made a substantial contribution to the concept of the work, SPA, JJC and SCA on the writing of the manuscript. CCA performed the recruitment of participants and data collection. All authors revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content, read and approved the final version to be published.
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Activity limitations and participation restrictions in women with hand osteoarthritis: patients’ descriptions and associations between dimensions of functioning.
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. The effectiveness of a manual therapy and exercise protocol in patients with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
Patients with thumb-base osteoarthritis scheduled for surgery have more symptoms, worse psychological profile, and higher expectations than nonsurgical counterparts: a large cohort analysis.
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A structured exercise programme combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching or static stretching in posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow: a randomized controlled trial.
Acute effect of scapular proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques and classic exercises in adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial.
Versión española del cuestionario DASH. Adaptación transcultural, fiabilidad, validez y sensibilidad a los cambios [Spanish version of the DASH questionnaire. Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, validity and responsiveness].
Minimal clinically important difference of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand outcome measure (DASH) and its shortened version (QuickDASH).
Zhang E, Zhang H, Liu F, et al. Estrogen exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB pathway through binding with estrogen receptor β on synovicytes of osteoarthritis. 2016;32(12):1605-1609.
Minimal clinically important difference of grip and pinch strength in women with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis when compared to healthy subjects.
Validating the capability for measuring age-related changes in grip-force strength using a digital hand-held dynamometer in healthy young and elderly adults.
Effectiveness of an overall progressive resistance strength program for improving the functional capacity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
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