This is a cross-sectional study aimed at examining the effects of kinesiophobia and proprioception on disability and function in the rheumatoid hand, compared to healthy controls.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a fairly common chronic inflammatory disease. Up to 90% of wrist and finger joints are affected by RA. Thus, it is known that a decrease in performance-based function and disability occur in the hand. Kinesiophobia leads to avoidance behavior, especially in painful conditions. Kinesiophobia has been shown to be a significant mental factor leading to functional loss and disability in rheumatoid hand (RH). On the other hand, joint repositioning sense measurements, which show proprioceptive losses in the wrist and hand joints due to the effects of RA, have been demonstrated. However, as far as we know, the contributions of these mental and biological factors (kinesiophobia + proprioception) to the function and disability of RH have not been examined together.

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for patients with RA

• Diagnosis of RA
• Volunteering
• Being between the ages of 18 and 65

Inclusion criteria for healthy controls

• Being healthy.
• Being between 18-65 years old.
• Being a volunteer

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria for patients with RA:

• The presence of another rheumatic disease or chronic illness that could affect function and cause disability.
• Pain, deformity, or other cooperation issues (such as severe mental, visual, or hearing impairments) that prevent participation in measurements.
• Sensory loss in the upper extremity, history of surgery, and injury in the last six months.

Exclusion criteria for healthy controls

• Any diagnosis of chronic or acute illness.
• In the upper extremity, history of surgery injury in the last six months.

Volunteer patients receiving treatment and follow-up at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital formed the study sample.

The healthy control group included hospital staff and volunteer companions of these patients.