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A new study evaluates electrically heated mittens as a non-surgical treatment for hand osteoarthritis, showing notable reductions in pain and stiffness but not in functional improvements.
The findings suggest heated mittens could be a viable option for managing osteoarthritis symptoms, potentially offering a simple and safe solution for pain relief compared to traditional methods.
The study, published in BMJ, assesses heated mittens for hand osteoarthritis, revealing significant pain and stiffness reductions but no function enhancement. Further long-term research is necessary to establish their effectiveness fully. The trial involved 91 participants with heated mittens and 95 with sham mittens, with an average age of 71, predominantly female. The primary outcome focused on AUSCAN scores for pain and function, indicating no significant changes in hand function but showing promising results for pain and stiffness reduction. Future studies are required for deeper insights.
Understand the potential benefits of heated mittens in managing osteoarthritis symptoms and the importance of study design in evaluating therapeutic interventions.
Heat application can alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis through increased blood circulation.
Heat therapy has a longstanding history in managing inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis, enhancing blood flow and nutrient delivery.
"Heat therapy has a long tradition in the management of arthritis and has been studied in various forms," noted Cecilie Bartholdy, one of the study authors.
This understanding underpins the rationale for using heated mittens, which are designed to enhance blood circulation and consequently reduce pain and stiffness. However, the impact on functional improvement remains unproven.
Proper design and execution are crucial for gaining reliable insights into therapeutic interventions.
The study was conducted with controls, allowing for comparative analysis between heated and sham mittens.
Conducted in Denmark during the coldest months, the trial involved 186 participants divided into two groups: heated mittens and sham mittens.
"The intervention was restricted to the coldest months in Denmark to maximize potential benefits," reported the research team.
Participants were asked to wear the mittens for a minimum of 15 minutes daily, allowing researchers to assess outcomes reliably. This structured approach ensures that results can be attributed to the treatment rather than external factors.
Heated mittens show promise in reducing pain and stiffness but not improving function in osteoarthritis patients.
While the study did not find functional improvements, reductions in pain and stiffness indicate heated mittens' potential benefit.
A decrease in pain and stiffness can significantly improve quality of life even if functionality remains unchanged.
Results showed that while functional scores did not improve, there was a notable reduction in pain and stiffness among participants using heated mittens.
"A small additional benefit was detected for hand pain, but this was likely overestimated," explained Bartholdy and colleagues.
The implications are significant as they suggest a simple, non-invasive option for managing some symptoms of osteoarthritis, although further research is required to understand long-term effects and functional benefits.
Bartholdy, C., Døssing, A., Stisen, Z., et al. (2024). Effect of heated mittens on physical hand function in people with hand osteoarthritis: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-078222
Zhang, Y., Niu, J., Kelly-Hayes, M., Chaisson, C. E., Aliabadi, P., & Felson, D. T. (2002). Prevalence of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis and its impact on functional status among the elderly: The Framingham Study. Am J Epidemiol, 156(11), 1021-1027. doi:10.1093/aje/kwf141