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Ottawa Panel Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Electrotherapy and Thermotherapy Interventions in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults

Ottawa Methods Members

Lucie Brosseau

Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

George A Wells

Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa

Peter Tugwell

Centre for Global Health, Institute of Population Health, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Mary Egan

Occupational Therapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz

Occupational Therapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

Lynn Casimiro

Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

Vivian A Robinson

Centre for Global Health, Institute of Population Health

Lucie Pelland

Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

Jessie McGowan, Director

Medical Library, Centre for Global Health, Institute of Population Health

External Experts

Mary Bell

Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hillel M Finestone

Sisters of Charity of Ottawa Health Service, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

France Légaré

University of Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada

Catherine Caron

Sisters of Charity of Ottawa Health Service

Sydney Lineker

The Arthritis Society, Ontario Division, Research Co-ordinator, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Angela Haines-Wangda

Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Marion Russell-Doreleyers

who practices acupuncture, MSc, Canadian Physiotherapy Association and Ottawa Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Martha Hall

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and Ottawa Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program

Paddy Cedar

patient with rheumatoid arthritis (named with her written permission)

Assistant Manuscript Writer

Marnie Lamb

School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Lucie Brosseau, PhD, Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, 451 Smyth Rd, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8M5 (lbrossea{at}uottawa.ca)

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this project was to create guidelines for electrotherapy and thermotherapy interventions in the management of adult patients (>18 years of age) with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according to the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (1987). Methods. Using Cochrane Collaboration methods, the Ottawa Methods Group identified and synthesized evidence from comparative controlled trials. The group then formed an expert panel, which developed a set of criteria for grading the strength of the evidence and the recommendation. Patient-important outcomes were determined through consensus, provided that these outcomes were assessed with a validated and reliable scale. Results. The Ottawa Panel developed 8 positive recommendations of clinical benefit. Lack of evidence meant that the panel could not gauge the efficacy of electrical stimulation. Discussion and Conclusion. The Ottawa Panel recommends the use of low-level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, thermotherapy, electrical stimulation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Key Words: Clinical practice guidelines • Electrotherapy • Epidemiology • Evidence-based practice • Physical rehabilitation • Rheumatology • Rheumatoid arthritis • Thermotherapy

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