Effect of ceramic-impregnated "thermoflow" gloves on patients with Raynaud's syndrome: randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of ceramic impregnated gloves in the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome. DESIGN Double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING Teaching hospital outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-three patients meeting the "Pal" criteria for Raynaud's syndrome. INTERVENTIONS Treatment period of three months with use of ceramic-impregnated gloves. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary end points: Pain visual analogue scale ratings and diary; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Hand questionnaire; Jamar grip strength; Purdue board test of hand dexterity. Secondary end points: Infrared skin temperature measurements; seven-point Likert scale rating of treatment. RESULTS In 60 participants with complete data, improvements were noted in the visual analogue scale rating (p=0.001), DASH score (p=0.001), Jamar grip strength (p=0.002), infrared skin fingertip temperature (p=0.003), Purdue hand dexterity test (p=0.0001) and the Likert scale (p=0.001) with ceramic gloves over the placebo cotton gloves. CONCLUSION The ceramic-impregnated "thermoflow" gloves have a clinically important effect in Raynaud's syndrome.