Rheumatoid Arthritis
Conditions
Keywords
exercise, disease activity, inflammation, resistance training, rehabilitation
Brief summary
This study will evaluate the effect of exercise on the number of swollen and tender joints associated with rheumatoid arthritis after a 12 week exercise program of treadmill walking and weightlifting.
Detailed description
The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the number of swollen and tender joints associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It was hypothesized that persons would have less inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis after a 12 week exercise program of treadmill walking and weighlifting. Immune parameters were measured to determine potential mechanisms responsible for changes in inflammation with exercise.
Interventions
Exercise was performed 3 times per week. It consisted of 30 minutes of treadmill exercise at approximately 85% of heartrate max and 2 sets of 6 resistance weight lifting exercises resulting in volitional fatigue at 12 to 15 repetitions.
Sponsors
Arthritis Foundation
Nebraska Chapter Arthritis Foundation
University of Nebraska
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* a diagnosis of RA according to the ACR 1989 Criteria at least 6 months prior to enrollment in the study, but not longer than 12 years * age 19 to 65 years old * stable regimen of medication for 2 months with less than 10 mg/day of oral corticosteroids * currently exercise \< 2x/week for less than 30 minutes at less than 60% of his/her age predicted maximum heart rate * Subjects must pass the Physical Activity Readiness Scale Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
Exclusion criteria
* other serious health problems * intra-articular injection within 6 weeks * total joint replacement of the large joints * use of beta-blockers * inability to complete the submaximal exercise test
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Swollen Joint Count | 12 Weeks |
| Tender Joint Count | 12 Weeks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Practitioner Global Assessment | 12 Weeks |
| Timed-Stands Test | 12 Weeks |
| Pain (visual Analog Scale) | 12 Weeks |
| 50 Foot Walk Test | 12 Weeks |
| Estimated Aerobic Capacity (VO2max) | 12 weeks |
| SF-36 | 12 Weeks |
| Modified-Health Assessment Questionnaire | 12 Weeks |
| Patient Global Assessment | 12 Weeks |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed