The reliability of the grip force instrument, Grippit was tested on 51 right-handed women of which 18 were healthy, 19 had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 14 had fibromyalgia (FM). Normative data was obtained from 169 healthy subjects. Results indicate that the reliability of Grippit was high in healthy and rheumatoid arthritic women and satisfactory in women with fibromyalgia. All patients showed greatly reduced grip force (RA had on average 21% and FM 40% of the control values) when compared to healthy women. Healthy women had on average 54% of men's grip force. The ratio between average force over 10 seconds and peak force was 73% for RA women, 69% for FM women, 83% for healthy women and 85% for healthy men.

Suggesting a holistic approach to rheumatology care, the study results indicate that the illness and outcomes have to be evaluated within an individual RA patient's total life situation, described in the identified themes: 'Normal life', 'Physical capacity', 'Independence' and 'Well-being'. Development and validation of measurements covering these issues is suggested. More research is needed about communication and how patients experience their roles in the rheumatology clinic.

Forty-two women with thumb base osteoarthritis referred to a joint protection programme (JP) were distributed into groups: one with only JP (Control group) and one with addition of splints day/night, hot pack/home exercise (SE group). Assessments of pain, stiffness, grip force, disabilities of daily activities were performed before treatment, 1 week and 1 year after treatment. The SE group had a significant decrease in pain, stiffness and an improvement in daily activities directly after the intervention and at 1-year follow-up compared to the Control group. In the SE group pain at night, pain on motion, and stiffness decreased. Grip force increased and daily activities improved. The Control group decreased in pain on motion and showed improvement in daily activities just after the intervention but not at 1-year follow up. This comparative study shows that when splinting and exercise regimen are added to a JP programme it gives a greater improvement of pain, stiffness, grip force and daily activities than the JP programme alone.

Impaired hand function was related to ADL difficulties and the use of assistive devices improved ADL. This emphasizes the importance of treatments that improve hand function and of testing ergonomic tools.