Can specially trained physiotherapists improve the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A randomized health care trial.

Abstract

To examine the influence of specially trained physical therapists (PT) on patterns and outcome of care, relating to inflammatory disease status as measured by disease outcomes. Fifty-four patients were allocated at random to specially trained PT, and to traditional PT. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 4 months by independent assessors. There was no statistically significant or clinically important difference in outcome between the 2 groups. The advice of specially trained PT significantly improved compliance with salicylates. The effectiveness of this therapy was not demonstrated, likely due to incomplete compliance along the therapeutic chain, beginning with the PT's report, through a variety of possible responses, and ending with patient outcome.