Molding the Pain into Porcelain: The Silent Resilience of Arthritic Hands in Hong Kong's Ceramic Studios.

Background/

Objectives

Globally, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients struggle to meet the expectation of being active in their daily lives. The burden on these individuals is twofold, including physical limitations and emotional stress, which make looking after themselves a major challenge. Supporting self-management requires more than just offering strategies; it requires fitness. Whether we are proposing new daily habits or creative outlets like ceramic workshops, it is essential to tap into the patient's perspective to understand exactly what kind of support will resonate with them. This study explored how ceramic workshops can help people with RA to build resilience and improve their well-being.

Methods

Using a phenomenological study design, we interviewed 16 patients with RA in Hong Kong who engaged in ceramic workshops. These participants were selected through purposive sampling, and their insights were gathered via semi-structured interviews. We applied Colaizzi's seven-step method to analyze the findings.

Results

Four key themes emerged: (i) embodied manageability; (ii) clear comprehension of body limits; (iii) the meaningfulness of creating art; and (iv) supporting resilience.

Conclusions

This study reveals that effective self-management support should prioritize patient-driven needs, particularly peer interaction and high-demand creative pursuits such as ceramic workshops.