RESEARCH - Incorporating education in exercise programs increases benefits for arthritis patients

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Incorporating Education In Exercise Programs Increases Benefits For

Arthritis Patients

ScienceDaily (Oct. 8, 2008) — Arthritis is the nation's most common

cause of disability. The number of adults with doctor-diagnosed

arthritis is projected to increase to 67 million by 2030, and a large

proportion of U.S. adults will limit their activity as a result,

according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Now, in a new study, University of Missouri researchers found that

adults with arthritis who received exercise interventions that

included educational components significantly increased their physical

activity levels and experienced improvements in pain and physical

functioning.

" Many researchers examine the effectiveness of exercise classes to

encourage people with arthritis to start exercising, but these studies

don't examine what the classes are teaching people and if those people

continue exercising after the class is over, " said n Minor,

professor in the MU Department of Physical Therapy in the School of

Health Professions. " All exercise programs should include educational

components that teach people how to stay active for life. We know from

other studies that exercise reduces pain and improves physical

functioning and mental health, but if people stop exercising, the

benefits will go away. "

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Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008184824.htm

Not an MD