Monitoring Rheumatoid Arthritis - Related Resources

Cochrane reviews

Physical therapy and rehabilitation

• Physical activity and psychosocial interventions may decrease self-reported fatigue in adults with rheumatoid arthritis Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Ultrasound may be effective in increasing grip strength and alleviating symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis .
• Electrical stimulation may have a clinically beneficial effect on grip strength and fatigue resistance for rheumatoid arthritis patients with muscle atrophy of the hand .
• AL-TENS (acupuncture-like TENS) and C-TENS (conventional TENS) may be effective for pain and patient's assessment of change in disease activity in arthritis of hand .
• Acupuncture and electroacupuncture may not be effective for rheumatoid arthritis Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Laser therapy may be effective for short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness for patients with rheumatoid arthritis .
• There is insufficient evidence to show that balneotherapy is more effective than no treatment, that one type of bath is more effective than another or that one type of bath is more effective than mudpacks, exercise or relaxation therapy Balneotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Occupational therapy may have a positive effect on functional ability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis Occupational Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• The use of an eye drop device compared to a standard bottle appears to improve the ability to squeeze out drops, aim drops, control the number of drops, and to prevent adverse effects in adults with rheumatoid arthritis suffering from persistent dry eyes Assistive Technology for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Lifestyle interventions

• Oils containing gamma linolenic acid (evening primrose, borage, or blackcurrant seed oil) might possibly afford some benefit in relieving symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis but the evidence is insufficient Herbal Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Vegetarian and Cretan Mediterranean diets for rheumatoid arthritis may have limited effect on pain but not in physical function and, unintentional weight loss can be considered as an adverse effect .

Other evidence summaries

• Paraffin wax baths may have some effect in improving symptoms in rheumatoid arthritic hands with few side effects .
• Fish oil appears to have a modest effect on tender joint count and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis, and reduces failure of triple disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritisFish Oil in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Fasting followed by vegetarian diet may improve symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis .