Perceptions of arthritis glove wear of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and persistent hand pain: A nested questionnaire study within the A‐Gloves trial

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Introduction: Arthritis gloves are prescribed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to reduce hand pain, stiffness, and improve hand function. As part of a randomised controlled trial, this study investigated participants' perceptions of wearing arthritis gloves.Method: Participants with RA and persistent hand pain (n = 206) were randomly assigned and prescribed either loose‐fitting gloves (control) or arthritis gloves (intervention), for day and/or night wear (as per individual need). At 12‐weeks, the trial follow‐up questionnaire also included items about whether the gloves prescribed were: beneficial or not; if yes, the benefits experienced; any problems encountered; if they stopped wearing gloves day and/or night, and why.Results: The questionnaire response rate was 154/206 (75%). In both groups, 73% reported gloves were beneficial (p = 0.97). There were no differences in types of benefits reported. The most common were: warmth (59% control: 54% intervention; p = 0.53); and comfort (54%: 62%; p = 0.29). Fewer reported problems with glove wear in the control group (33%), compared to the intervention group (49%); p = 0.05. In both groups, the most common daytime problem was inability to wear gloves for wet or dirty activities; and at night, gloves being too hot. Similar numbers in the control and intervention groups stopped wearing gloves either day or night (23%: 31%; p = 0.26), primarily for these reasons.Discussion: Participants' perceptions about wearing arthritis or loose‐fitting gloves were very similar. Wearing ordinary gloves could result in similar perceived benefits to arthritis gloves.

This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit: