Effects of kinesiotherapy in handgrip strength, pain and quality of life of women with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, chronic, inflammatory and symmetric that reaches the tissues, organs and peripheral joints causing pain, and decreased in handgrip strength and quality of life. This study aimed to verify the effects pre and post physiotherapy intervention in handgrip strength, pain and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This is a longitudinal and interventional study, with five female subjects (±54,0 years), which were evaluated as to dynamometry manual for handgrip strength, visual analogue scale for pain intensity and the Protocol SF-36 for quality of life. The subjects were submitted to a program based on kinesiotherapeutic intervention, which was conducted in groups, 02 times per week and 50 minutes per session, totaling 10 sessions. When analyzed the pain by visual analog scale there were no statistically significant results, however, the handgrip strength and the quality of life (domains pain and vitality) were statistically significant (p≤0.05) in post intervention. The proposed intervention program was effective in handgrip strength and improving pain and vitality related to quality of life in the sample studied.