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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
M. Archer1, I. Cooper2, K. Beer3, R. Oehmen4, A. Doverty5, A. Panicker6, M. Needham7
- University of Notre Dame Australia, School of Medicine, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia; and Personalised Medicine Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia; and Personalised Medicine Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia. kelly.beer@murdoch.edu.au
- University of Notre Dame Australia, School of Medicine, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia; and Personalised Medicine Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia; and Personalised Medicine Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
- University of Notre Dame Australia, School of Medicine, Fremantle, Western Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia; Personalised Medicine Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia; and Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
CER19835
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PMID: 42446707 [PubMed]
Received: 23/02/2026
Accepted : 01/06/2026
In Press: 09/07/2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy after age 50, causing progressive weakness of quadriceps and finger flexors. With no effective disease-modifying therapies, accessible non-pharmacological strategies are needed. Exercise is safe, may slow disease progression and improve strength. However, most studies focus on lower limb strengthening, despite hand strength being vital to independence. Our study analysed the acceptability, tolerability and efficacy of an at-home TheraPutty® hand exercise intervention on grip strength and function in adults with IBM.
METHODS:
In this 12-week, single-arm pilot study, thirteen participants underwent baseline, 6-week, and 12-week assessments of grip/pinch strength (hand-held dynamometry), dexterity (Nine-Hole Peg Test, Box and Block Test), and function (IBM Functional Rating Scale, Duruöz Hand Index). Use of intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches assessed the effect of adherence on strength outcomes. Adherence (≥75% sessions), acceptability, and tolerability were assessed through weekly diaries and an end-of-study questionnaire.
RESULTS:
Nine participants (69%) achieved ≥75% adherence. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant changes in grip or pinch strength, although Box and Block performance improved significantly bilaterally. In the per-protocol analysis, significant improvements were observed in non-dominant 2-point and bilateral 3-point pinch strength. Fatigue, pain, and difficulty using even the lowest resistance TheraPutty® limited adherence. Overall, participants rated the programme as moderately acceptable (mean 3.5/5) and tolerable (3.4/5).
CONCLUSIONS:
A home-based TheraPutty® programme is feasible and generally acceptable in IBM, with potential signals of benefit among adherent participants. Future larger, longer-term studies should refine treatment protocols to reduce fatigue and optimise efficacy.
