Joint protection : enabling change in musculoskeletal conditions

Hammond, A

Abstract

Joint protection includes applying ergonomic principles in daily life, altering working methods, using assistive devices and modifying environments. It is taught to people with musculoskeletal conditions (eg rheumatoid arthritis (RA)), osteoarthritis, as well as soft tissue rheumatisms. Common principles are to: distribute load over several joints; reduce effort by use of assistive devices; pace activities; use orthoses and exercise regularly. Cognitive-behavioral, self-efficacy and motor learning approaches are employed. Trials demonstrate using these approaches is significantly more effective than advice and demonstration alone in changing joint protection behavior, improving function and reducing pain in both early and established RA. When combined with hand exercises there is evidence it improves grip strength in hand OA but there is still conflicting evidence for effectiveness in soft tissue rheumatisms.

• Publication Date: Jun 23, 2009
• Deposit Date: Aug 26, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 26, 2020
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 325-332
• Book Title: International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions (First Edition)
• ISBN: 9780387754239-(print);-9780387754246-(online)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75424-6_33
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75424-6_33
• Related Public URLs: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9780387754246