International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS)
Effect of Task-Specific Hand Dexterity Circuit Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy on Pain and Functional Disability in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Published March 14, 2026 • Vol. 11, Issue 2, pp. 1030–1035Open Access
DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110200088
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder predominantly affecting small joints of the hands, leading to pain, deformity, and functional disability. Conventional physiotherapy focuses primarily on pain relief and strengthening; however, structured task-specific dexterity training targeting functional hand activities remains underexplored.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of task-specific hand dexterity circuit training as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy on pain and functional disability in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: A quasi-experimental comparative study was conducted over 12 months in a tertiary care teaching hospital. One hundred participants diagnosed with RA (ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria) were recruited through convenience sampling and allocated into experimental (n=50) and control (n=50) groups. Both groups received supervised physiotherapy sessions (40 minutes/day, 5 days/week) for four weeks. The control group received conventional physiotherapy, while the experimental group received 15 minutes of conventional therapy followed by 25 minutes of task-specific hand dexterity circuit training. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and functional disability using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Paired and independent t-tests were used for statistical analysis (p<0.05).
Results: Both groups showed significant within-group improvements (p<0.001). The experimental group demonstrated greater reduction in NPRS (6.9±1.2 to 3.1±0.9) compared to the control group (6.8±1.1 to 4.8±1.0). HAQ-DI scores improved significantly in the experimental group (1.86±0.38 to 1.15±0.26) compared to the control group (1.82±0.36 to 1.50±0.32) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Task-specific hand dexterity circuit training combined with conventional physiotherapy provides clinically meaningful improvements in pain and functional disability in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, hand dexterity, circuit training, Task-specific training
| Journal | International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 2454-6194 |
| Volume / Issue | Volume 11, Issue 2 |
| Pages | 1030–1035 |
| Publication date | March 14, 2026 |
| DOI | 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110200088 |
| Publisher | RSIS International |
| License | Open Access |
How to cite this article
Harshada Wasade, Asavari Barshikar, Vedanti Bhure, Khushi Gelda, Rajas Mudey, & Pratiksha Sayam (2026). Effect of Task-Specific Hand Dexterity Circuit Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy on Pain and Functional Disability in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), 11(2), 1030-1035. https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110200088
BibTeX
@article{Harshada2026,
title = {Effect of Task-Specific Hand Dexterity Circuit Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy on Pain and Functional Disability in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study},
author = {Harshada Wasade and Asavari Barshikar and Vedanti Bhure and Khushi Gelda and Rajas Mudey and Pratiksha Sayam},
journal = {International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS)},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {1030--1035},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.110200088},
publisher = {RSIS International}
}