(Re-)Defining ergonomics in hand therapy: Applications for the management of upper extremity osteoarthritis

In older adults, upper extremity osteoarthritis (OA) is the primary cause of disability,1,2 with nearly half of all individuals with arthritis reporting activity limitations due to their diagnosis.3 The uncertainty and unpredictable nature of the disease can cause significant physical limitations in numerous areas of daily life functioning and impact an individual's overall quality of life.4 The most prevalent symptoms include hand deformities, pain, reduced grip strength, and inflammation, which can lead to loss of independence for completing simple daily tasks, work instability, unemployment, and financial difficulties, as well as psychosocial challenges, such as fear of disease progression, loss of self-esteem, and social isolation.
Source: Journal of Hand Therapy - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research