{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nAdvancements in pharmacotherapy have driven a paradigm shift in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management, subsequently transitioning rehabilitation goals from passive pain control toward proactive functional improvement. This embodies a \"rehabilitation treat-to-target (RT2T)\" approach. While the Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) program is an evidence-based self-management regimen, its application in acute inpatient settings remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of an adapted, intensive inpatient version of this program (SARAH-Intensive Protocol (SARAH-IP)).Methods\n\nThis study evaluated 21 hospitalized patients with RA (mean age 69.0 years) prospectively who underwent the SARAH-IP during admission, primarily following orthopedic surgery or systemic medication initiation, at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan. The SARAH-IP involved therapist-guided functional training five times weekly, strategically supplemented by patient-led weekend self-exercises and continuous structured feedback. Primary outcomes, including grip strength (dominant and non-dominant) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) scores, were assessed at baseline and discharge.Results\n\nThe SARAH-IP group achieved an overall 20/21 (95%) improvement rate in grip strength and Q-DASH scores, translating directly to enhanced activities of daily living (ADL). Crucially, the SARAH-IP cohort exhibited significant bilateral enhancements.Conclusions\n\nThe SARAH-IP is an effective short-term inpatient rehabilitation strategy for RA, conferring comprehensive functional benefits to both dominant and non-dominant upper extremities. By integrating continuous therapist feedback with self-managed exercises, this intensive protocol effectively bridges inpatient intervention with post-discharge self-care. Future research should evaluate the long-term adherence and efficacy of this regimen in broader patient populations.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, JPN.",
    "Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, JPN.",
    "Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, JPN."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuya Takakubo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Miyuki Murakawa"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Mizue Kikuchi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Rio Takahashi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Hiromori Sagae"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yoshihiro Wanezaki"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Michiaki Takagi"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f8231xtqwtax5.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.7759/cureus.116831",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13695337",
  "id": "f8231xtqwtax5",
  "issns": [
    "2168-8184"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927350",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2745|Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214232051",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13695337?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13695337",
  "pmid": "42927350",
  "published": "2026-09-24",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f8231xtqwtax5.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:18Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42927350",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927350"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2745|Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Short-Term Results of the Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH)-Intensive Protocol for Hospitalized Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.",
  "title_text": "Short-Term Results of the Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH)-Intensive Protocol for Hospitalized Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:18Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f8231xtqwtax5",
  "venue": "Cureus",
  "versions": []
}