biostudies-literatureWilliamson ENational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)e013121https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5775458biostudies-literatureUnknown7(4)<h4>Objectives</h4>The Stretching And strengthening for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a hand exercise programme and demonstrated it was clinically effective and cost-effective at 12 months. The aim of this extended follow-up was to evaluate the effects of the SARAH programme beyond 12 months.<h4>Methods</h4>Using postal questionnaires, we collected the Michigan Hand Questionnaire hand function (primary outcome), activities of daily living and work subscales, pain troublesomeness, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. All participants were asked how often they performed hand exercises for their rheumatoid arthritis. Mean difference in hand function scores were analysed by a linear model, adjusted for baseline BMJ openHand exercises for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an extended follow-up of the SARAH randomised controlled trial.PMC577545807/32/05Williams MWilliamson EDosanjh SLamb SEHeine PMcConkey CfalseHand exercises for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an extended follow-up of the SARAH randomised controlled trial.<h4>Objectives</h4>The Stretching And strengthening for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a hand exercise programme and demonstrated it was clinically effective and cost-effective at 12 months. The aim of this extended follow-up was to evaluate the effects of the SARAH programme beyond 12 months.<h4>Methods</h4>Using postal questionnaires, we collected the Michigan Hand Questionnaire hand function (primary outcome), activities of daily living and work subscales, pain troublesomeness, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. All participants were asked how often they performed hand exercises for their rheumatoid arthritis. Mean difference in hand function scores were analysed by a linear model, adjusted for baseline 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Apr2025-04-04T10:04:11.886Z2019-03-26T22:46:39ZS-EPMC57754582840461010.1136/bmjopen-2016-013121