EFFICACY OF UNDERWATER INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT ON HAND FUNCTION IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background: Psoriatic arthritis is an entity of inflammatory joint disease associated with psoriasis. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of underwater interferential current therapy on hand function in psoriatic arthritis of both hands. Method: Thirty patients (18 females and 12 males) had psoriatic arthritis of hands, aged 42 to 50 years with 45.77 ± 3.52 mean, were assigned randomly into two groups of equal number: study group received 20 minutes underwater interferential current for one month, 3 times per week (12 sessions) and control group received placebo interferential current. Visual analogue scale for patient-reported pain, the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score, and hand function (grip force) in Pound of dominant hand were assessed pretreatment and post-treatment. Results: showed significant improvement in the 3 outcomes in study group (p < 0.005) with non-significant improvement in control group (p > 0.005). Visual analogue scale had a strong positive correlation (p < 0.001) with the disability score and a strong negative correlation (p < 0.001) with the grip force. Conclusion: Using underwater interferential current therapy in patient with psoriatic arthritis of hands was effective in improvement of hand function and quality of life.