BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rheumatoid arthritis frequently results in functional impairment. This study investigated the effect of a specific exercise regimen on function. METHOD: A randomized controlled assessor-blinded (N = 36) compared the effect of knee extensor and flexor muscle training on pain, the timed up and go (TUG) test and the Health Assessment Questionnaire in subjects with non-acute rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS:Knee extensor and flexor muscle training increased isokinetic torques at speeds of 60 degrees/sec-1 and 120 degrees/sec-1 as measured by an isokinetic dynamometer (p = 0.02-0.003). The experimental group experienced a reduction in pain (p = 0.03), an improvement in TUG time (p = 0.01) and in function as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS:Specific knee muscle training can be administered safely in people with non-acute rheumatoid arthritis, and may produce functional benefits.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Rheumatoid arthritis frequently results in functional impairment. This study investigated the effect of a specific exercise regimen on function. METHOD: A randomized controlled assessor-blinded (N = 36) compared the effect of knee extensor and flexor muscle training on pain, the timed up and go (TUG) test and the Health Assessment Questionnaire in subjects with non-acute rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: Knee extensor and flexor muscle training increased isokinetic torques at speeds of 60 degrees/sec-1 and 120 degrees/sec-1 as measured by an isokinetic dynamometer (p = 0.02-0.003). The experimental group experienced a reduction in pain (p = 0.03), an improvement in TUG time (p = 0.01) and in function as measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Specific knee muscle training can be administered safely in people with non-acute rheumatoid arthritis, and may produce functional benefits.
Authors: Emalie Hurkmans; Florus J van der Giesen; Thea Pm Vliet Vlieland; Jan Schoones; E C H M Van den Ende Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2009-10-07
Authors: Mohit Bhandari; P J Devereaux; Thomas A Einhorn; Lehana Thabane; Emil H Schemitsch; Kenneth J Koval; Frede Frihagen; Rudolf W Poolman; Kevin Tetsworth; Ernesto Guerra-Farfán; Kim Madden; Sheila Sprague; Gordon Guyatt Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-02-13 Impact factor: 2.692