Objective: The aim of this work is to study the effects of an intensive
strengthening exercises on the functional ability, fatigue, psychological
status as well as disease activity in patients with RA.
Methods: This study comprised 30 female patients with RAwho were
selected from the outpatient-clinics and in-patients of the departments of
Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Benha University Hospitals and Benha
Teaching Hospital These patients were randomly divided into 2 groups,
each group consisted of 15 patients, where group CO was allocated to an
intensive exercise program twice weekly for 12 week. Group (II) patients
were on a usual care program of range motion exercises. Both groups
were matched as regard age (P = 0.23), duration of the disease (P = 0.15),
weight (P = 0.3) and height (P = 0.9). All patients were almost on the same
treatment regimen were subjected to a full history taking, thorough clini
cal examination, laboratory investigations and other clinical data (includ
ing: Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), Health Assessment
Questionnaire (HAQ) and Disease Activity Score of 28 Joint Count
(DAS28), walk test time, stair test time, depression and anxiety scores),
that were obtained at presentation and after 12 weeks. |
