Occupational therapy as part of a cross-sectorial management programme for individuals with hand osteoarthritis (HANDY): pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background: Individuals with hand osteoarthritis (HOA) often experience decreased ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) tasks. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the trial design and remaining feasibility aspects of an occupational therapy intervention (HANDY-OT v2.0) designed to improve quality of ADL task performance. Methods: The study was a pilot randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomised 1:1 to HANDY-OT or awaiting-list control in two Danish municipalities. Eligible participants were ≥ 18 years, diagnosed with HOA and experienced decreased ADL ability. Pilot trial evaluation of recruitment, retention, acceptability of procedures, appropriateness and completeness of outcomes was guided by predefined 80% progression criteria. Outcome assessments were carried out at baseline and post intervention. Evaluation of feasibility and acceptability of HANDY-OT was assessed through sessions attendance records and registration forms completed following each HANDY-OT session by both participants and occupational therapists. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse all data. Results: The study included 32 participants with HOA (16 in the intervention group and 16 in the waiting list control group) and four occupational therapists. The progression criteria were fulfilled for acceptability of randomisation (n = 32 [100%]) and retention (n = 29 [91%]). All 29 participants completed the post-intervention tests with no missing data. Recruitment was amended due to initial low referral rates. Adherence in the intervention group was n = 13 (81%). Registration forms showed a median high or very high agreement with the feasibility aspects across sessions. Conclusion: Overall, the findings support progression to a full-scale RCT of the HANDY-OT v2.0 with minor methodological refinements.