Sponsored by Hand Therapy New Zealand and the Australian Hand Therapy Association
HandyEvidence
Predict responders to conservative treatment in hand OA
About the prediction tool
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This prediction tool allows you to get a probability estimation of response to conservative treatment in your clients with symptomatic hand OA. This tool can help guide treatment decisions in collaboration with patients. This tool should not act as a substitute for clinical reasoning. Especially for higher probabilities of success, this tool underestimates the likelihood of a positive treatment outcome and should therefore be used with caution.
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Disclaimer: This prediction model has been developed from the results of a small sample, single-centre, randomised feasibility trial. This model has not been tested on a different group of patients and may perform poorly when applied to your clients. Consider using it to aid your clinical decision rather than as a basis for clinical decisions.
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To improve model performance, you may apply it to your clients who present with the same inclusion and exclusion criteria as the ones utilised in the feasibility study. For more information about the development of the prediction model, refer to the study by Magni et al. (2022).
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How to use the tool
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Use the dropdown menus below to calculate your client's probability of response to treatment. You will need to indicate what treatment you are planning to use, whether the client's treatment expectations are positive or negative, and the client's potential adherence to treatment (for exercise interventions).
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Intervention: The treatment that clients received was either advice - as per Arthritis New Zealand pamphlet - or a combination of advice plus six weeks of high-intensity resistance training or blood flow restriction training.
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Expectations: If clients report that they believe the treatment you are offering has the potential to improve pain, function, or both, the "Expectation" box below should be selected as "Yes".
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Adherence: This refers to the ability of clients to attend or perform their exercises three times per week for six weeks as per progression indicated in the published study.
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