More Rehab Linked With More Physical Function Gains in Patients With RA

More than 8 rehab visits, compared with 2 visits or fewer, was associated with favorable change in physical function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to study findings published online ahead of print in Arthritis Care & Research.

“Using real-world data, this study supports higher rehabilitation dose to improve physical function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis,” wrote study lead author Louise M. Thoma, PT, DPT, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and coauthors.

The investigation included data for 1381 adults with RA who received a new episode of rehabilitation. Among them, 27% received a low rehab dose of 2 sessions or fewer, 42% received a medium rehab dose of between 3 and 8 sessions, and 31% received a high rehab dose of more than 8 sessions.

Worse self-reported physical function at baseline, as measured by the Health Activity Questionnaire, was associated with a higher rehab dose, according to the study. High rehab dose, meanwhile, was associated with favorable changes in self-reported physical function, pain, and fatigue compared with low rehab dose.

In adjusted models, only the association between higher rehab dose and improved physical function remained. Researchers reported an adjusted odds ratio of 1.41.

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference
Thoma LM, Wellsandt E, Wipfler K, Michaud K. Examining rehabilitation dose in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: association with baseline factors and change in clinical outcomes. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published online September 12, 2022. doi.org/10.1002/acr.25019