Use of paraffin instead of lukewarm water prior to hand exercises had no additional effect on hand mobility in patients with systemic sclerosis: A randomized clinical trial

Results: Ninety patients were enrolled in the study and 56 patients completed. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups regarding hand mobility post intervention. Within both groups, hand mobility improved on the HAMIS six months post baseline with -2.6 points (95% CI: -4.4; -0.8) in the paraffin group and -3.3 points (95% CI: -5.2; -1.5) in the water group. Improvements were maintained at 12-month follow-up.   

Methods: Patients were allocated to receive either warm-up treatment with water or paraffin prior to hand exercises for a period of six months. Primary outcome was Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS), while secondary outcomes included SF-36 and measurements of fingertips to proximal and distal palmar crease. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6 and 12 months post baseline.