Physical and Occupational Therapy

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease that causes significant disability, handicap, and worsening of quality of life. Management of the person with SSc requires a multidisciplinary approach including rehabilitation techniques such as occupational and physical therapy. To determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques, reliability and valid outcome measures are needed. This chapter will review assessments available to measure disability and participation in persons with SSc and discuss rehabilitation techniques that have been shown to be effective in improving joint motion, hand function, strength, general conditioning, and participation in daily life.