RCT of daily wax treatment in patients with scleroderma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of daily wax bath treatment in patients with scleroderma.
IRAS ID
128376
Contact name
William Gregory
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Scleroderma is a rheumatological condition causing skin and soft tissue tightening. Joint and muscle symptoms of Scleroderma are a major cause of disability, sufferers have a reduced ability to perform activities of daily living and an associated decreased reported quality of life.
The aim of this study is to trial a treatment that we think may improve hand function and make activities of daily living easier hence improving quality of life.
This will be randomised controlled study in which participants in the intervention group are asked to use a wax bath daily in their own home and then perform hand exercises afterwards. The wax machine heats the wax to 45-55degrees C and this gives a pleasant heat and moisturising effect. This wax treatment has been used in physiotherapy departments for more than 50 years. The machines are now available for home use. Participants in the control group will perform the hand exercises, without use of the wax bath.
Participants will be recruited from Salford Royal Hospital Out-Patients Department in person or via a poster. Following informed consent, all participants would visit the physiotherapy department for initial assessment, provision of hand exercises and if in the intervention group be shown and then provided with a wax bath. All participants would perform daily hand stretches.
Effects of the interventions would be measured by assessments at weeks 0, 9 and 18 in the physiotherapy department. There would be physical measures of strength, movement and skin flexibility as well as a number of questionnaires.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0773
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion