The Effects of Kinesiophobia and Proprioception on Disability and Function in Rheumatoid Hand

This is a cross-sectional study aimed at examining the effects of kinesiophobia and proprioception on disability and function in the rheumatoid hand, compared to healthy controls.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a fairly common chronic inflammatory disease. Up to 90% of wrist and finger joints are affected by RA. Thus, it is known that a decrease in performance-based function and disability occur in the hand. Kinesiophobia leads to avoidance behavior, especially in painful conditions. Kinesiophobia has been shown to be a significant mental factor leading to functional loss and disability in rheumatoid hand (RH). On the other hand, joint repositioning sense measurements, which show proprioceptive losses in the wrist and hand joints due to the effects of RA, have been demonstrated. However, as far as we know, the contributions of these mental and biological factors (kinesiophobia + proprioception) to the function and disability of RH have not been examined together.