Short-Term Results of the Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH)-Intensive Protocol for Hospitalized Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- 1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yamagata University Hospital, Yamagata, JPN.
- 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, JPN.
- 3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, JPN.
Abstract
Background
Advancements 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
This 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
The 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
The 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.
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BibTeX
@article{takakubo2026shortterm,
title = {{Short-Term Results of the Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH)-Intensive Protocol for Hospitalized Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.}},
author = {Yuya Takakubo and Miyuki Murakawa and Mizue Kikuchi and Rio Takahashi and Hiromori Sagae and Yoshihiro Wanezaki and Michiaki Takagi},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.116831},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927350},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Short-Term Results of the Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH)-Intensive Protocol for Hospitalized Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AU - Yuya Takakubo
AU - Miyuki Murakawa
AU - Mizue Kikuchi
AU - Rio Takahashi
AU - Hiromori Sagae
AU - Yoshihiro Wanezaki
AU - Michiaki Takagi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.116831
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927350
AB - Background Advancements 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 This 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 The 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 The 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.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -