Effectiveness of Ultrasound Therapy with Active Hand Exercises in Patients with Rheumatoid Hand

Abstract

This study was aimed to find out the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy with active hand exercises for the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The patients were selected based on the articular index tenderness score. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A received ultrasound therapy alone and group B received ultrasound therapy with active exercises. Painand range of motion of MCP joints of both right and left hand were assessed before and after treatment using Visual analog scale and goniometer. The results were analyzed statistically. Both the group showed significant difference in reducing pain and improving range of motion.The improvement was found more in group B than group A. It was concluded that ultrasound therapy with active hand exercises are more effective than ultrasound therapy alone in reducing pain and improving range of motion in patients with rheumatoid hand.