Is dry heat treatment (fluidotherapy) effective in improving hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A randomized controlled trial

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OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the efficacy of dry heat treatment (fluidotherapy) in improving hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN:: Prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING:: Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Rheumatology in a university hospital. SUBJECTS:: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis. INTERVENTIONS:: All patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent dry heat treatment (fluidotherapy) and Group 2 was a control group. Patients in both groups participated in a joint protection and exercise program. MAIN MEASURES:: Primary outcome measures were Health Assessment Questionnaire and Duruoz Hand Index. Secondary outcome measures were pain and stiffness, Grip Ability Test, Disease Activity Score-28, and grip strength. These assessments were performed at the hospital at baseline, week 3, and week 12. RESULTS:: A total of 93 participants were allocated to Group 1 ( n = 47) and Group 2 ( n = 46). The mean age of these groups was 54.19 ± 11.15 years and 53.00 ± 10.15 years, respectively ( P = 0.592). At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups in any parameter except significantly poorer Health Assessment Questionnaire score in Group 1 ( P = 0.007). At week 3, there were no significant differences between the groups in any of the parameters ( P > 0.005). At week 12, Duruoz Hand Index scores were significantly better in Group 2 ( P = 0.039). CONCLUSION:: Dry heat treatment (fluidotherapy) was not effective in improving hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, no positive effect on any other clinical parameters was observed.