Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Keep Exercise-Gained Muscle Strength

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Keep Exercise-Gained Muscle Strength

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Aug 03 - Follow-up of patients with early

rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shows that muscle strength gained during an

earlier monitored exercise program was maintained 3 years later, Finnish

researchers report in the August issue of the ls of the Rheumatic

Diseases.

Dr. A. Hakkinen and colleagues at Jyvaskyla Central Hospital randomized 70

early RA patients to home-based strength training involving all muscle

groups or to motion and stretching exercises. They were also encouraged to

take part in aerobic activities two to three times per week.

To prevent RA-induced loss of muscle strength and muscle mass, " restoration

and improvement of muscle reserves should be started from the very onset of

disease, " the researchers write.

In the 62 patients who completed 2 years of training, muscle strength

indices rose by a mean of 68 in participants in the muscle-strength group

and by 35 in the motion group. However, despite these substantial

improvements, bone mineral density (BMD) remained relatively constant.

All patients were then asked to participate in self-monitored strength

training. Follow-up 3 years later of 59 available subjects showed that the

muscle strength improvements were maintained. BMD values still remained

constant and damage assessed radiographically remained low.

All patients had received treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic

drugs (DMARDs). The researchers conclude that these patients can safely

participate in " applied, individually tailored, moderate intensity physical

activity. "

Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:910-916.