A pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of an at-home TheraPutty® hand exercise intervention on strength and function in adults with inclusion body myositis
Authors' conclusion
A home-based TheraPutty® programme is feasible and generally acceptable in IBM, with potential signals of benefit among adherent participants.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with inclusion body myositis (IBM)
- Participants
- 13 adults
- Outcome
- Grip and pinch strength, dexterity and function
- Follow-up
- 12 weeks
Methodological details12-week, home-based
- 12-week
- Home-based
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- ITT: no significant changes in grip or pinch strength
- ITT: Box and Block performance improved significantly bilaterally
- Per-protocol: significant improvements in non-dominant 2-point and bilateral 3-point pinch strength
- Intention-to-treat and per-protocol
Further findings
Adherence (≥75% sessions) · 12 weeks
- Participants achieving ≥75% adherence
- 9 (69%)
- Fatigue, pain, and difficulty using even the lowest resistance TheraPutty® limited adherence
Acceptability and tolerability (end-of-study questionnaire) · 12 weeks
- Acceptability, moderately acceptable (mean, /5)
- 3.5/5
- Tolerability (/5)
- 3.4/5
Original publication
A pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of an at-home TheraPutty® hand exercise intervention on strength and function in adults with inclusion body myositis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 23 February 2026. doi:10.
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