Self-management of musculoskeletal hand pain and hand problems in community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older: results from a cross-sectional study in a UK population.

Myers, H; Dziedzic, K; Nicholls, E; Croft, P

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is common in adults, with the hand being frequently affected. Healthcare services have the potential to be of benefit to adults with hand pain and problems, through promotion and facilitation of self-management. METHODS: This paper explores existing self-management in a UK population of community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and over using data from surveys and a nested clinical cohort study. Self-management of hand problems was considered in three ways: self-directed treatment approaches used, adaptation behaviours adopted and choice to consult with a healthcare professional. RESULTS: The treatment approaches most commonly used were 'exercise/movement' (n?=?151, 69 %) and 'resting' the hands (n?=?139, 69 %). The use of adaptation behaviour was widespread: 217 (99 %) people reported using one or more adaptation behaviours. Under half of survey respondents who reported hand pain (n?=?783, 43 %) had consulted a healthcare professional about their problem during the last year: the lowest rate of consultation was for occupational therapy (n?=?60, 3 %). CONCLUSIONS: Self-directed treatment and adaptation behaviours were widespread in adults aged 50 years and over with hand problems, but consultation with a healthcare professional was low.

Citation

Myers, H., Dziedzic, K., Nicholls, E., & Croft, P. (2016). Self-management of musculoskeletal hand pain and hand problems in community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older: results from a cross-sectional study in a UK population. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 17, Article 418. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1276-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 29, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 6, 2016
• Journal: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Print ISSN: 1471-2474
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Article Number: 418
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1276-4
• Keywords: musculoskeletal hand pain; self management; primary care
• Publisher URL: http://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-016-1276-4