Assistive Technology

for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Types of studies included in the research included: RCT’s, CCT’s, CBA’s, ITS, and observational studies.

 

Participants included were: 18+ who have been diagnosed with RA.

Interventions included were: Aids for medical treatment, aids for training skills, aids for personal care and protection, aids for personal mobility, aids for housekeeping, furnishings and adaptations to homes and other premises, aids for communication, information and signaling, aids for handling of products and goods, aids for environmental improvement, tools and machines, and aids for recreation.

 

Primary Outcomes: Functional abilities for ADL’s, pain and adverse effects.

 

Method: The researchers performed an extensive literature search and were able to find only 1 study that met their criteria. They broadened the search and were able to retrieve 776 articles, however, were only able to include 1 in this study.

 

Aim of the study included: Assess the ability to instill artificial tears using an eye dispenser device compared to a standard bottle.

 

• Outcomes for this study were: being able to use the device effectively and safely.

• Getting drops into eyes when using the device- 4/29 people had difficulty, compared to 15/29 with a standard bottle.

• Squeezing the bottle-10/25 had difficulty with the device compared to 18/25 with standard bottle.

• Controlling the drops- 11/25 had difficulty compared to 21/25 with standard bottles.

• Aiming the drops- 11/24 had difficulty compared to 19/25 with standard bottle.

• Device usability- 17/29 participants felt the device was very useful, 9/29 felt it was moderately useful.

• Adverse effects-0/29 with device usage compared to 22/29 with standard bottle usage (touched their eye with bottle tip).

 

Conclusions: There is a serious lack of research for RA and AT/AE. There was an extensive literature search (es) performed and the researchers still were only able to include one study into this report. A lack of high quality research prevents researchers from drawing further conclusions when it comes to practice implications.

 

 

Tuntland, H., Kjeken, I., Nordheim, L. V., Falzon, I., Jamtvedt, G., & Hagen, K. B.

            (2009). Assistive technology for rheumatoid arthritis. The Cochrane

            Collaboration, (4), 1-28. Retrieved from http://www.thecochranelibrary.com