Rheumatoid Arthritis: Exercises for Hands

Explore the impact of rheumatoid arthritis and how SARAH can help patients

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term joint disease and often involves the small joints of the hands and wrists. Hand exercises play an important role in improving the ability to do day-to-day activities.

On this course, you’ll learn about an evidence-based hand and arm exercise programme called Strengthening and Stretching for the Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH), and how you can successfully implement it as a healthcare professional.

Discover how to apply the SARAH programme to treat rheumatoid arthritis in your clinical setting

The SARAH programme was shown to improve hand function and quality of life in a large UK based clinical trial. It is recommended in the national treatment guidelines for adults with rheumatoid arthritis (NICE guidelines NG 100).

On the course, you’ll get an introduction on how rheumatoid arthritis affects hand function, explore how the SARAH programme was developed, and understand how you can apply it in your clinical setting.

Identify how to use the SARAH programme in your practice

You’ll also discover how to use and teach behavioural support strategies to your patients.

You’ll study alongside multidisciplinary experts who are dedicated to using exercise and physiotherapy to help care for people with long-term musculoskeletal conditions.

At the end of this two-week course, you’ll come away confidently able to deliver the SARAH programme in your clinical practice.

This course is for all healthcare professionals who treat people having hand function problems due to rheumatoid arthritis.

This course is for all healthcare professionals who treat people having hand function problems due to rheumatoid arthritis.

• Explore the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on hand function
• Summarise how the SARAH programme was developed
• Apply the SARAH programme in your clinical setting
• Demonstrate behavioural support strategies to patients
• Reflect on implementing the SARAH exercises and behavioural support strategies in your clinical practice