Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative joint disease and one of the largest socio-economic burdens of modern healthcare. It is characterized by pain, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life due to the deterioration of articular cartilage and damage to intra-articular structures. It is the most common form of arthritis in adults over the age of 40, with its prevalence increasing markedly over time. Most patients are over 55 years of age, with women accounting for the majority of cases. The rising incidence is among other factors associated with population aging, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment of hand osteoarthritis involves a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches, with surgical interventions reserved for advanced cases. Purpose: To analyze current research findings on the effects of therapeutic exercise on hand function and functionality in patients with osteoarthritis, based on a literature review. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed and PEDro databases. The analysis included English-language studies published after 2015, using the keywords "Hand osteoarthritis AND exercise". Results: Six studies were included in the analysis. Therapeutic exercise was found to improve pain intensity, hand function, quality of life, and grip strength compared to the control groups. However, no significant improvements were observed in stiffness or pinch strength. Discussion and conclusion: The reviewed studies indicate that therapeutic exercise has beneficial effects on pain intensity, hand function, quality of life, and grip strength in individuals with hand osteoarthritis. These effects may be enhanced when exercise programs are individually tailored and professionally supervised. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is needed to confirm the beneficial effects of therapeutic exercise in patients with hand osteoarthritis.
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