{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T01:29:03Z","timestamp":1760059743844,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,10]],"date-time":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1752105600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Khon Kaen University"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Life"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Objective: A self-management telehealth program to improve hand strength and function in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients may improve their quality of life, so we investigated its efficacy. Methods: A 6-week prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in adults with SSc with a hand mobility in scleroderma (HAMIS) score &gt; 1 or a limited range of motion in at least one hand joint. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups for six weeks of health education: (a) typical education, (b) watching video guides as needed, in addition to typical education, and (c) watching video guides and receiving weekly telephone notifications, in addition to typical education. The endpoints were the differences in self-management behavior, HAMIS scores, hand grip strength (HGS), and quality of life (QoL) using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions between groups, as well as the changes in these parameters compared to baseline. Results: A total of 24 patients per group were enrolled, with the majority diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous SSc (79.2%). Six weeks post-intervention, HGS improved significantly in both the video guide and telephone notification groups compared to typical education in both hands (p = 0.028, p = 0.044). Pincer grip differed between the groups in the non-dominant hand. Household modifications were more frequent in the video guide and telephone notification groups than in the typical education group (p = 0.023). All groups showed significant improvements in HGS and HAMIS scores in both hands, as well as in self-management behaviors, compared to baseline. QoL, as measured using a visual analog scale, improved significantly after the intervention in both the video guide and telephone notification groups, but not in the typical education group. Conclusions: Self-management telehealth programs effectively enhance hand strength, function, and self-management behaviors in patients with SSc with limited hand function. Weekly telephone notifications further reinforced continuity and engagement in these patients.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/life15071087","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,10]],"date-time":"2025-07-10T15:36:58Z","timestamp":1752161818000},"page":"1087","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Effects of a Self-Management Telehealth Program on Improving Strength and Hand Function in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Orathai","family":"Wantha","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7091-0259","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ajanee","family":"Mahakkanukrauh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Siraphop","family":"Suwannaroj","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Kwankaew","family":"Tuydaung","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nonglak","family":"Methakanjanasak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Kannika","family":"Srichomphu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jinnaphat","family":"Kraipoj","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1964-4389","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chingching","family":"Foocharoen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"550","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2018.03.021","article-title":"The Scleroderma Hand: Manifestations of Disease and Approach to Management","volume":"43","author":"Williams","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1007\/s40674-016-0052-9","article-title":"Hand Impairment in Systemic Sclerosis: Various Manifestations and Currently Available Treatment","volume":"2","author":"Young","year":"2016","journal-title":"Curr. Treat. Opt. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"484","DOI":"10.1080\/14397595.2018.1466635","article-title":"Long-Term Follow-up of Finger Passive Range of Motion in Japanese Systemic Sclerosis Patients Treated with Self-Administered Stretching","volume":"29","author":"Mugii","year":"2019","journal-title":"Mod. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1739","DOI":"10.1093\/rheumatology\/keq145","article-title":"Pain, Fatigue and Hand Function Closely Correlated to Work Ability and Employment Status in Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"49","author":"Sandqvist","year":"2010","journal-title":"Rheumatology"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"232","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2013.03.002","article-title":"Hand Impairment and Activity Limitations in Four Chronic Diseases","volume":"26","author":"Poole","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1080\/03009740410006060","article-title":"Daily Activities and Hand Function in Women with Scleroderma","volume":"33","author":"Sandqvist","year":"2004","journal-title":"Scand. J. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"224","DOI":"10.1093\/rheumatology\/22.4.224","article-title":"Objective Evaluation of Hand Function in Scleroderma Patients to Assess Effectiveness of Physical Therapy","volume":"22","author":"Askew","year":"1983","journal-title":"Br. J. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"981","DOI":"10.1080\/09638280410001702405","article-title":"Evaluation of Paraffin Bath Treatment in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"26","author":"Sandqvist","year":"2004","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2008.06.009","article-title":"The Effect of Paraffin and Exercise on Hand Function in Persons with Scleroderma: A Series of Single Case Studies","volume":"22","author":"Mancuso","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"428","article-title":"Physical Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"31","author":"Vannajak","year":"2016","journal-title":"Srinagarind Med. J."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"(2025, February 16). Occupational Therapy Integrated with a Self-Administered Stretching Program on Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Hand Involvement. Available online: https:\/\/www.clinexprheumatol.org\/abstract.asp?a=9492."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.1007\/s10067-008-1006-x","article-title":"An Individualized Rehabilitation Program in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis May Improve Quality of Life and Hand Mobility","volume":"28","author":"Antonioli","year":"2009","journal-title":"Clin. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2017.10.013","article-title":"The Evaluation of a Home-Based Program for Hands in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"32","author":"Landim","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"1586","article-title":"The Efficacy of Self-Administered Stretching for Finger Joint Motion in Japanese Patients with Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"33","author":"Mugii","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6749951","DOI":"10.1155\/2021\/6749951","article-title":"A Smartphone-Based Application for Self-Management in Multiple Sclerosis","volume":"2021","author":"Mokhberdezfuli","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Healthc. Eng."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"Skrabal Ross, X., Gunn, K.M., Patterson, P., and Olver, I. (2024, June 21). A Smartphone Self-Management Program to Support Oral Chemotherapy Adherence in Young and Adult Cancer Patients: Design and Development Background [Internet]. Available online: https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/334318052_A_Smartphone_Self-Management_Program_to_Support_Oral_Chemotherapy_Adherence_in_Young_and_Adult_Cancer_Patients_Design_and_Development_Background."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2737","DOI":"10.1002\/art.38098","article-title":"2013 Classification Criteria for Systemic Sclerosis: An American College of Rheumatology\/European League against Rheumatism Collaborative Initiative","volume":"65","author":"Khanna","year":"2013","journal-title":"Arthritis Rheum."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Chiang Mai University (2024, June 21). \u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e12\u0e19\u0e32\u0e23\u0e39\u0e1b\u0e41\u0e1a\u0e1a\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1f\u0e37\u0e49\u0e19\u0e1f\u0e39\u0e2a\u0e21\u0e23\u0e23\u0e16\u0e20\u0e32\u0e1e\u0e21\u0e37\u0e2d\u0e43\u0e19\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1b\u0e48\u0e27\u0e22\u0e42\u0e23\u0e04\u0e2a\u0e40\u0e04\u0e25\u0e2d\u0e42\u0e23\u0e40\u0e14\u0e2d\u0e23\u0e4c\u0e21\u0e32\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e21\u0e35\u0e02\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e2d\u0e31\u0e01\u0e40\u0e2a\u0e1a\u0e02\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e34\u0e49\u0e27\u0e21\u0e37\u0e2d\u0e40\u0e09\u0e35\u0e22\u0e1a\u0e1e\u0e25\u0e31\u0e19 [Internet]. Available online: https:\/\/cmudc.library.cmu.ac.th\/frontend\/Info\/item\/dc:104795."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Scleroderma Foundation (2024, June 21). Stretching Exercises for the Hands and Face [Internet]. Available online: https:\/\/scleroderma.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Stretching-Exercises-for-the-Hands-and-Face-20211127.pdf."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"369","DOI":"10.1002\/1529-0131(200012)13:6<369::AID-ART6>3.0.CO;2-X","article-title":"Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) Test: The Reliability of a Novel Hand Function Test","volume":"13","author":"Sandqvist","year":"2000","journal-title":"Arthritis Care Res."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"202","article-title":"Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis): Classification, Subsets and Pathogenesis","volume":"15","author":"LeRoy","year":"1988","journal-title":"J. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"854","DOI":"10.1136\/ard.50.Suppl_4.854","article-title":"Clinical Aspects of Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)","volume":"50","author":"Silver","year":"1991","journal-title":"Ann. Rheum. Dis."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"945","DOI":"10.1111\/1756-185X.13859","article-title":"Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of 566 Thais with Systemic Sclerosis: A Cohort Study","volume":"23","author":"Foocharoen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Rheum. Dis."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"440","article-title":"The Effect of a Self-Management Program on the Quality of Life of Patients with Scleroderma","volume":"12","author":"Parniyan","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Educ. Health Promot."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"291","DOI":"10.1016\/j.autrev.2010.09.009","article-title":"The Needs of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis\u2014What Are the Difficulties Encountered?","volume":"10","author":"Godard","year":"2011","journal-title":"Autoimmun. Rev."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1007\/s00296-016-3602-4","article-title":"Comparison of Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease between Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Other Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review","volume":"37","author":"Thombs","year":"2017","journal-title":"Rheumatol. Int."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"895","DOI":"10.1007\/s00296-010-1382-9","article-title":"The Rehabilitation of Facial Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: Efficacy of the Combination of Connective Tissue Massage, Kabat\u2019s Technique and Kinesitherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"31","author":"Landi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Rheumatol. Int."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1167","DOI":"10.1007\/s10067-009-1216-x","article-title":"Efficacy of Connective Tissue Massage and Mc Mennell Joint Manipulation in the Rehabilitative Treatment of the Hands in Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"28","author":"Bongi","year":"2009","journal-title":"Clin. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"751","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2023.02.008","article-title":"Comparison of Telerehabilitation Methods for Patients with Systemic Sclerosis in the COVID-19 Era: A Randomized Controlled Study","volume":"36","author":"Tarakci","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.3138\/ptc.2012-40","article-title":"Evidence-Based Management of Hand and Mouth Disability in a Woman Living with Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)","volume":"65","author":"Poole","year":"2013","journal-title":"Physiother. Can."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1324","DOI":"10.3899\/jrheum.130912","article-title":"Telemedicine Applied to Kinesiotherapy for Hand Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Recovery of Movement and Telemonitoring Technology","volume":"41","author":"Piga","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"159","article-title":"Efficacy of Intensive Hand Physical Therapy in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis","volume":"35","author":"Deiszinger","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. Exp. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1050","DOI":"10.1002\/acr.23098","article-title":"Personalized Physical Therapy Versus Usual Care for Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"69","author":"Rannou","year":"2017","journal-title":"Arthritis Care Res."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e97","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.4883","article-title":"The Effectiveness of Self-Management Mobile Phone and Tablet Apps in Long-Term Condition Management: A Systematic Review","volume":"18","author":"Whitehead","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Med. Internet Res."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e70045","DOI":"10.1002\/pon.70045","article-title":"Effects of Web-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Health-Related Outcomes Among Patients With Lung Cancer: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"33","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Psychooncology"}],"container-title":["Life"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-1729\/15\/7\/1087\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T18:08:04Z","timestamp":1760033284000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-1729\/15\/7\/1087"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,10]]},"references-count":35,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7]]}},"alternative-id":["life15071087"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/life15071087","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-1729"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"2075-1729"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,10]]}}}