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Osteoarthritis - Evidence
Evidence on assistive devices
There are few well designed trials on assistive devices used by people with osteoarthritis. Surveys show that assistive devices and aids are well accepted by many people, but most people consider them awkward to use and expensive to buy, and many felt that they made them feel more dependent.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) conducted a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of aids and devices on osteoarthritis [National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, 2008].
- One RCT and four observational studies were found.
- The studies differed with respect to study design, site of osteoarthritis, interventions, study size, and outcomes measured.
- Hand osteoarthritis:
- Pain: one RCT (n = 40) found a significant benefit from the addition of exercise to assistive devices.
- Grip strength: one RCT (n = 40) found a significant benefit from the addition of exercise to assistive devices.
- Function/disability (change in HAQ score): one RCT (n = 40) found no significant difference.
- Hip or knee osteoarthritis:
- Use of assistive devices: two observational studies (n = 27 and n = 88) found that assistive devices were used by 59% and 56% of respondents.
- Personal satisfaction: two observational studies (n = 27) found that assistive devices were rated by 30% of respondents as one of the three most effective treatments.
- Site of osteoarthritis not specified:
- Use of assistive devices: one observational study (n = 248) found that assistive devices were used by 67% of respondents.
- Positive attitude towards assistive devices: one observational study (n = 248) found that on three different measures, more than 90% of respondents had a positive attitude towards assistive devices.
- Negative attitude towards assistive devices: one observational study (n = 248) found that assistive devices were considered awkward by 79% of respondents, too expensive to buy themselves by 59% of respondents, and made them more dependent by 48% of respondents.
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