0
0
In a promising breakthrough for those suffering from hand osteoarthritis (OA), a recent study published in The BMJ reveals that heated mittens may offer a new, non-invasive solution for alleviating pain and stiffness. The trial suggests that the application of heat could bring meaningful symptomatic relief, particularly for older adults dealing with this debilitating condition.
Heat’s Role in Treating Osteoarthritis
Hand OA is a common form of arthritis that affects the joints in the fingers, causing inflammation, pain, and reduced functionality. Despite various treatments, such as pharmacological and surgical interventions, effective therapies for hand OA have remained scarce.
Historically, heat has been used to manage inflammatory conditions like OA by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which in turn improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. This approach has been incorporated into the 2020 American College of Rheumatology guidelines as a conditional recommendation for OA management. However, previous applications of heat required clinic visits. Recent technological advancements have now made battery-powered heated mittens available for use at home.
About the Study
The study involved 186 participants, 91 of whom wore heated mittens, and 95 wore a placebo version (sham mittens). The average age of participants was 71, and the majority (87%) were women. All participants met the criteria for hand OA and had a functional rating of 40 or higher on the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN). The median duration of OA was ten years.
Participants were randomly assigned to wear either heated or sham mittens during the winter months, with both types of mittens designed identically. However, the heating function was disabled in the sham mittens. Participants were instructed to wear the mittens for at least 15 minutes a day over six weeks, adjusting the temperature as necessary.
Key Findings
The heated mittens group wore their gloves for an average of 38 out of 42 days, compared to 37 days for the sham mittens group. Both groups used the mittens once daily, with the heated mittens group wearing them for an average of 37 minutes per session, and the sham mittens group for 25 minutes. Both groups preferred the high-intensity setting.
Participants who wore heated mittens reported a significant reduction in pain, with the AUSCAN pain score dropping by 5.9 points more than in the sham group. Although no statistically significant improvement in grip strength or hand function was observed, the heated mittens group showed a significant decrease in stiffness—by an average of 6.3 points more than the placebo group.
Furthermore, there was a slight reduction in the use of pain-relieving medications. In the heated mittens group, the percentage of participants taking pain medication dropped from 42% to 36%, while in the sham mittens group, it decreased from 50% to 46%.
Conclusion
While the heated mittens were shown to significantly reduce pain and stiffness in participants, the improvement in hand function was not statistically significant. Despite this, the reduction in stiffness and pain suggests that heated mittens could serve as an effective, simple, and safe adjunct to managing hand OA.
The study’s authors caution that emotional enthusiasm surrounding the use of heated mittens might influence self-reported outcomes like pain and stiffness. While the evidence for heated mittens is promising, further research with longer trial durations is needed to explore the full potential of this treatment and its functional benefits.
The researchers emphasize that heat therapy remains an accessible and safe option for individuals suffering from OA, but more robust studies are necessary to definitively prove its efficacy for long-term management.
Journal Reference: Bartholdy, C., Dassing, A., Stisen, Z., et al. (2024). Heated Mittens for Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial. BMJ. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-078222.
