Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology
Volume 23, Issue 1 , Pages 103-116 , February 2009

Non-drug therapies in early rheumatoid arthritis

  • Theodora P.M. Vliet Vlieland, MD, PT, PhD (Associate Professor)

      Affiliations

    • Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedics and Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +31 71 5263598; Fax: +31 71 5266752.
    • ,
  • Dorothy Pattison, PhD, RD (Honorary Lecturer)

      Affiliations

    • ARC Epidemiology Unit, School of Translational Medicine, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK

References 

  1. Combe B. Early rheumatoid arthritis: strategies for prevention and management. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007;21:27–42
  2. Cush JJ. Early rheumatoid arthritis – is there a window of opportunity?. J Rheumatol. 2007;80(34 Suppl.):1–7
  3. Hallert E, Husberg M, Skogh T. Cost and course of disease and function in early rheumatoid arthritis: a 3-year follow-up (the Swedish TIRA project). Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2006;45:325–331
  4. Scott DL, Smith C, Kingsley G. What are the consequences of early rheumatoid arthritis for the individual?. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2005;19:117–136
  5. Kennedy T, McCabe C, Struthers G, et al. BSR guidelines on standards of care for persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2005;44:553–556
  6. Hammond A. Rehabilitation in rheumatoid arthritis: a critical review. Musculoskeletal Care. 2004;2:135–151
  7. Li LC, Iversen MD. Outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving rehabilitation. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2005;17:172–176
  8. Vliet Vlieland TPM. Non-drug care for RA – is the era of evidence based practice approaching?. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2007;46:1397–1404
  9. Christie A, Jamtvedt G, Dahm KT, et al. Effectiveness of nonpharmacological and nonsurgical interventions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an overview of systematic reviews. Phys Ther. 2007;87:1697–1715
  10. Gossec L, Pavy S, Pham T, et al. Nonpharmacological treatments in early rheumatoid arthritis: clinical practice guidelines based on published evidence and expert opinion. Joint Bone Spine. 2006;73:396–402
  11. Luqmani R, Hennell S, Estracht C, et al. British Society for Rheumatology and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology guideline for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (the first 2 years). Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2006;45:1167–1169
  12. Luqmani R, Hennell S, Estrach C, et al. British Society for Rheumatology and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology guideline for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (the first 2 years). Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2006;45:1167–1169
  13. Hennell S, Luqmani R. Developing multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of early rheumatoid athritis. Musculoskeletal Care. 2008;6:97–107
  14. Combe B, Landewe R, Lukas C, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of early arthritis: report of a task force of the European Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics (ESCISIT). Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66:34–45
  15. Vliet Vlieland TPM, Hazes JMW. Efficacy of multidisciplinary team care programs in rheumatoid arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1997;27:110–122
  16. Badamgarav E, Croft JD, Hohlbauch A, et al. Effects of disease management programs on functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2003;49:377–387
  17. Lambert CM, Hurst NP, Forbes JF, et al. Is day care equivalent to inpatient care for active rheumatoid arthritis? Randomised controlled clinical and economic evaluation. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 1998;316:965–969
  18. Tijhuis GJ, Zwinderman AH, Hazes JMW, et al. A randomized comparison of care provided by a clinical nurse specialist, inpatient team care and day patient team care in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2002;47:525–531
  19. Tijhuis GJ, Zwinderman AH, Hazes JMW, et al. The two-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a clinical nurse specialist intervention, inpatient and day patient team care in rheumatoid arthritis. J Adv Nurs. 2003;41:34–43
  20. Van den Hout WB, Tijhuis GJ, Zwinderman AH, et al. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of multidisciplinary care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised comparison of clinical nurse specialist care, inpatient team care, and day patient care. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:308–315
  21. Temmink D, Hutten JBF, Francke AL, et al. Rheumatology outpatient nurse clinics: a valuable addition?. Arthritis Rheum. 2001;45:280–286
  22. Hill J, Bird HA, Harmer R, et al. An evaluation of the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of a nurse practitioner in a Rheumatology outpatient clinic. Br J Rheumatol. 1994;33:283–288
  23. Hill J. Patient satisfaction in a nurse-led clinic. J Adv Nurs. 1997;25:347–354
  24. Hill J, Thorpe R, Bird H. Outcomes for patients with RA: a rheumatology nurse practitioner clinic compared to standard outpatient care. Musculoskeletal Care. 2003;1:5–20
  25. Arthur V, Clifford C. Rheumatology: a study of patient satisfaction with follow-up monitoring care. J Clin Nurs. 2004;13:325–331
  26. Ryan S, Hassell AB, Lewis M, Farrell A. Impact of a rheumatology expert nurse on the wellbeing of patients attending a drug monitoring clinic. J Adv Nurs. 2006;53:277–286
  27. Caspersen CJ, Powell KE, Christenson GM. Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Rep. 1985;100:126–131
  28. Van den Ende CHM, Vliet Vlieland TPM, Munneke M, Hazes JMW. Dynamic exercise therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. Br J Rheumatol. 1998;37:677–687
  29. Stenström CH, Minor M. Evidence for the benefit of aerobic and strengthening exercise in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2003;49:428–434
  30. Gaudin P, Leguen-Guegan S, Allenet B, et al. Is dynamic exercise beneficial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?. Joint Bone Spine. 2008;75:11–17
  31. Häkkinen A, Häkkinen K, Hannonen P. Effects of strength training on neuromuscular function and disease activity in patients with recent-onset inflammatory arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol. 1994;23:237–242
  32. Häkkinen A, Sokka T, Kotaniemi A, et al. Dynamic strength training in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis increases muscle strength but not bone mineral density. J Rheumatol. 1999;26:1257–1263
  33. Häkkinen A, Sokka T, Kotaniemi A, Hannonen P. A randomized two-year study of the effects of dynamic strength training on muscle strength, disease activity, functional capacity, and bone mineral density in early rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2001;44:515–522
  34. Häkkinen A, Sokka T, Lietsalmi AM, et al. Effects of dynamic strength training on physical function, Valpar 9 work sample test, and working capacity in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2003;49:71–77
  35. Häkkinen A, Sokka T, Hannonen P. A home-based two-year strength training period in early rheumatoid arthritis led to good long-term compliance: a five year followup. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;51:56–62
  36. Häkkinen A, Sokka T, Kautainen H, et al. Sustained maintenance of exercise induced muscle strength gains and normal bone mineral density in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.: a five year follow-up. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63:910–916
  37. Bell MJ, Lineker SC, Wilkins AL, et al. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of community based physical therapy in the treatment of people with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 1998;25:231–237
  38. Lineker SC, Bell MJ, Wilkins AL, Badley EM. Improvements following short term home based physical therapy are maintained at one year in people with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2001;28:165–168
  39. Brodin N, Eurenius E, Jensen I, et al. PARA study group Coaching patients with early rheumatoid arthritis to healthy physical activity: a multicenter, randomized, controlled study. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;59:325–331
  40. Oosterveld FGJ, Rasker JJ. Treating arthritis with locally applied heat or cold. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1994;24:1–10
  41. Robinson VA, Brosseau L, Casimiro L, et al. Thermotherapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(Issue 2):Art. No.: CD002826
  42. Casimiro L, Brosseau L, Robinson V, et al. Therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(Issue 3):Art. No.: CD003787
  43. Brosseau L, Yonge KA, Robinson V, et al. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the hand. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(Issue 2):Art. No.: CD004377
  44. Pelland L, Brosseau L, Casimiro L, et al. Electrical stimulation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(Issue 2):Art. No.: CD003687
  45. Brosseau L, Robinson V, Wells G, et al. Low level laser therapy (Classes I, II and III) for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(Issue 4):Art. No.: CD002049
  46. Verhagen AP, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Boers M, et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(Issue 1):Art. No.: CD000518
  47. Ernst E. Musculoskeletal conditions and complementary/alternative medicine. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2004;18:539–556
  48. Ernst E. The safety of massage therapy. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2003;42:1101–1106
  49. Hammond A. What is the role of the occupational therapist?. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2004;18:491–515
  50. Steultjens EMJ, Dekker J, Bouter LM, et al. Occupational therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. Arthritis Rheum. 2002;47:672–685andCochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(Issue 1):Art. No.: CD003114
  51. Brus HL, van de Laar MA, Taal E, et al. Effects of patient education on compliance with basic treatment regimens and health in recent onset active rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 1998;57:146–151
  52. Helliwell PS, O'Hara M, Holdsworth J, et al. A 12-month randomized controlled trial of patient education on radiographic changes and quality of life in early rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 1999;38:303–308
  53. Hammond A, Freeman K. One-year outcomes of a randomized controlled trial of an educational-behavioural joint protection programme for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2001;40:1044–1051
  54. Hammond A, Freeman K. The long-term outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of an educational-behavioural joint protection programme for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rehabil. 2004;18:520–528
  55. Freeman K, Hammond A, Lincoln NB. Use of cognitive behavioural arthritis education programmes in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rehabil. 2002;16:828–836
  56. Hammond A, Young A, Kidao . A randomised controlled trial of occupational therapy for people with early rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63:23–30
  57. Adams J, Hammond A, Burridge J, Cooper C. Static orthoses in the prevention of hand dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis: a review of the literature. Musculoskeletal Care. 2005;3:85–101
  58. Egan M, Brosseau L, Farmer M, et al. Splints and Orthosis for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(1):CD004018
  59. Janisse DJ. Prescription footwear for arthritis of the foot and ankle. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1998;349:100–107
  60. Farrow SJ, Kingsley GH, Scott DL. Interventions for foot disease in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;53:593–602
  61. Clark H, Rome K, Plant M, et al. A critical review of foot orthoses in the rheumatoid foot. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2006;45:139–145
  62. Woodburn J, Barker S, Helliwell PS. A randomized controlled trial of foot orthoses in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2002;29:1377–1383
  63. Astin JA, Beckner W, Soeken K, et al. Psychological interventions for rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arthritis Rheum. 2002;47:291–302
  64. Riemsma RP, Kirwan JR, Taal E, Rasker JJ. Patient education for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(Issue 2):Art. No.: CD003688
  65. Niedermann K, Fransen J, Knols R, Uebelhart D. Gap between short- and long-term effects of patient education in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;51:388–398
  66. Sharpe L, Sensky T, Timberlake N, et al. A blind, randomized, controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral intervention for patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis: preventing psychological and physical morbidity. Pain. 2001;89:275–283
  67. Sharpe L, Sensky T, Ryan B, et al. Long-term efficacy of a cognitive behavioural treatment from a randomized controlled trial for patients recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2003;42:435–441
  68. Sharpe L, Allard S, Sensky T. Five-year follow-up of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for patients with recently-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis: effects on health care utilization. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;59:311–316
  69. Evers AWM, Kraaimaat FW, Van Riel PLCM, De Jong AJL. Tailored cognitive-behavioral therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis for patients at risk: a randomized controlled trial. Pain. 2002;100:141–153
  70. Rayman M, Pattison DJ. Dietary interventions in musculoskeletal conditions. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2008;22:535–561
  71. Fortin PR, Lew RA, Liang MH, et al. Validation of a meta-analysis: the effects of fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Epidemiol. 1995;48:1379–1390
  72. Goldberg RJ, Katz J. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007;129:210–223
  73. Kremer JM. n-3 fatty acid supplements in rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71:349S–351S
  74. Calder PC. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83(Suppl):1505S–1519S
  75. Galarraga B, Ho M, Youssef HM, et al. Cod liver oil (n-3 fatty acids) as an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sparing agent in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2008;47:665–669
  76. Canter PH, Wider B, Ernst E. The antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and selenium in the treatment of arthritis: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). 2007;46:1223–1233
  77. Pattison DJ, Silman AJ, Goodson NJ, et al. Vitamin C and the risk of developing inflammatory polyarthritis: prospective nested case-control study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63:843–847
  78. Pattison DJ, Symmons DPM, Lunt M, et al. Dietary β-cryptoxanthin and inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a population-based prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;82:451–455
  79. Cerhan JR, Saag KG, Merlino LA, et al. Antioxidant micronutrients and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in a cohort of older women. Am J Epidemiol. 2003;157:345–354
  80. Pattison DJ, Lunt M, Welch A, et al. Diet and disability in early inflammatory polyarthritis. Rheumatology. 2007;46(Suppl. I):i122
  81. Sköldstam L, Hagfors L, Johansson G. An experimental study of a Mediterranean diet intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:208–214
  82. McKellar G, Morrison E, McEntegart , et al. A pilot study of a Mediterranean-type diet intervention in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis living in areas of social deprivation in Glasgow. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66:1239–1243
  83. Kaufmann J, Kielstein V, Kilian S, et al. Relation between body mass index and radiological progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2003;30:2350–2355
  84. Westhoff G, Rau R, Zink A. Radiographic joint damage in early rheumatoid arthritis is highly dependent on body mass index. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;56:3575–3582
  85. Van der Helm-van Mil AHM, van der Kooij SM, Allaart CF, et al. A high body mass index has a protective effect on the amount of joint destruction in small joints in early rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2008;67:769–774
  86. Garcia-Poma A, Segami MI, Mora CS, et al. Obesity is independently associated with impaired quality of life inpatients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2007;26:1831–1835
  87. de Pablo P, Dietrich T, Karlson EW. Antioxidants and other novel cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis in a large population sample. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:953–962
  88. Solomon DH, Curhan GC, Rimm EB, et al. Cardiovascular risk factors in women with and without rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50:3444–3449
  89. Pham T, Gossec L, Constantin A, et al. Cardiovscular risk and rheumatoid arthritis: clinical practice guidelines based on published evidence and expert opinion. Joint Bone Spine. 2006;73:379–387
  90. Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou A, Metsios GS, Koutedakis Y, et al. Redefining overweight and obesity in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66:1316–1321
  91. Record IR, Dreosti IE, McInerney JK. Changes in plasma antioxidant status following consumption of diets high or low in fruit and vegetables or following dietary supplementation with an antioxidant mixture. Br J Nutr. 2001;85:459–464
  92. Sambrook PN, Ansell BM, Foster S, et al. Bone turnover in early rheumatoid arthritis. 2. Longitudinal bone density studies. Ann Rheum Dis. 1985;44:580–584
  93. Hooyman JR, Melton LJ, Nelson AM, et al. Fractures after rheumatoid arthritis: a population based study. Arthritis Rheum. 1984;27:1353–1361
  94. Slifman NR, Gershon SK, Lee JH, et al. Listeria monocytogenes infection as a complication of treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α neutralizing agents. Arthritis Rheum. 2003;48:319–324
  95. Schett G, Herak P, Graninger W, et al. Listeria-associated arthritis in a patient undergoing etanercept therapy: case report and review of the literature. J Clin Microbiol. 2005;43:2537–2541
  96. Dixon WG, Watson K, Lunt M, et al. Rates of serious infection, including site-specific and bacterial intracellular infection, in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. Results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;54:2368–2376

PII: S1521-6942(08)00093-4

doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2008.08.004

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology
Volume 23, Issue 1 , Pages 103-116 , February 2009

Article Tools