Hertfordshire arthritis patients take part in major occupational therapy trial
Patients from across Hertfordshire are taking part in a major multi-centre study aimed at improving the treatment of the crippling condition of rheumatoid arthritis.
The study, which has been funded by an £82,335 grant from medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign, aims to test the effects of occupational therapy on patients in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis.
If the project proves to be successful, it could be used as a blueprint to help patients all over the country.
Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects around 600,000 people in the UK, is an auto-immune
disease in which the body attacks itself, leading to inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints.
Patients from St Albans, Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Welwyn Garden City are among 320 people recruited to take part in the study, which is one of the largest trials into occupational therapy ever carried out.
One set of patients will take part in a five-session programme, learning about self-management strategies, joint protection and exercise, stress-management, technical aids, relaxation, and workplace and leisure advice. The other set will have no occupational therapy at all. The results of the two groups will then be compared.
"There hasn't been much provision for occupational therapy in the past for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis at many of the centres taking part, and once the study comes to an end, then possibly so will the occupational therapy," said consultant rheumatologist and principal investigator Dr Adam Young, who is co-ordinating the study at St Albans City Hospital.
"Obviously we don't know what the outcome will be, but if we can come up with the evidence to show that occupational therapy is effective, then that would make managers sit up and consider at funding similar services around the country.
Little research work has been done on patients' perspective of rheumatoid arthritis, and in particular, how patients can help themselves to improve their ability to perform daily activities.
"We hope that the combined impact of early medical treatment and the supportive role of occupational therapy in patients will significantly delay or even reduce the complications of the disease, and the need for powerful but potentially dangerous drugs," added Dr Young.
