Physical Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87
Author(s):  
Włodzisław Kuliński ◽  
Jakub Skuza

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory process resulting in the destruction of articular and periarticular tissues and leading to the development of functional impairment, permanent deformities and disability. RA affects approximately 1% of the global population and is more common in women than men. Aim: To assess the effects of physical therapy in RA patients. Material and Methods: The study assessed 21 patients with stage III/IV RA. They were managed with physical therapy, including thermotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, magnetic field therapy and light therapy. The data collected in the study were statistically analysed. Results: After treatment, all study patients showed pain reduction, improved well-being, reduced duration of morning joint stiffness, improved ranges of motion in the joints and a better quality of life. Conclusions: 1. Rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult clinical and social problem. 2. The physical therapy used in the study reduced the pain experienced by the patients and the duration of morning joint stiffness and improved the ranges of motion and quality of life. 3. Physical therapy and rehabilitation constitute the main method of treatment of this disorder.

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Włodzisław Kuliński ◽  
Aleksandra Dryja

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue that damages articular and periarticular tissue and leads to the development of permanent deformities and disability. Aim: To assess the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients after treatment at a medical resort. M aterial and Methods: The study assessed 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated at a medical hospital in Busko-Zdrój. The study group consisted of 18 women and 12 men over the age of 50 years. The patients underwent sulphide/hydrogen sulphide baths and physical therapy procedures. The data collected in the study was statistically analysed using Excel; calculations were performed with the SPSS Statistica 21.0 software. A chi-squared test was used to assess statistical correlations between variables. Results: After spa hospital treatment, all patients reported reduced pain, improved well-being, reduced duration of morning joint stiffness, and improved independence; the pain-free walking distance markedly increased. The treatment had a beneficial influence on the quality of life of study patients. Conclusions: 1. Rheumatoid arthritis is a difficult clinical and social problem. 2. The balneotherapy and physical therapy used in the study reduced the duration of morning joint stiffness and pain experienced by the patients. 3. The balneotherapy and physical therapy used in the study had a positive effect on the ability to ambulate, increasing the pain-free walking distance, and improving the quality of life.


Author(s):  

Objective: Discuss the benefits of monitoring by a multidisciplinary health team for the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: The research proposal is based on a review of bibliographic references, with a source of synthesizing results obtained through secondary research on the theme, in a methodical and orderly manner, seeking to contribute to the knowledge on the proposed subject. Results: Through a thorough analysis of theoretical references, 30 scientific articles were selected that alluded to the systemic lupus erythematosus pathology. Systemic lupus is characterized by articular, cutaneous, renal, vascular, serous, nervous manifestations, decreased mobility, muscle strength, physical conditioning and quality of sleep, increased joint stiffness, pain and fatigue and can cause, even depression, obesity and / or malnutrition, impacting quality of life. Conclusion: The research presented relevant results on the monitoring by the multidisciplinary health team for the treatment of patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, presenting data that justify the construction of a structured support network, which will contribute to the therapy of this patient, providing well-being and improvements in quality of life. Taking into account the situation that the pathology presents, these data are at least disturbing. These bases made it possible to expand the discernment on the subject, opening a succession of discussions to find proposals and resolutions that can corroborate with the treatment of people diagnosed with chronic diseases such as SLE.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aggie Stewart

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory disorder that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of joint function, and reduced quality of life. Yoga therapy may help individuals with RA manage stress and increase well-being. This study focused on the identification of therapeutic objectives and a methodology to achieve symptom relief, regain function, and enhance quality of life for individuals with RA. Methods: Four women with RA participated in private yoga therapy sessions for 2.5 months. Assessment based, tailored home practices were developed and modified to address participant - identified goals. Results: Participants reported decreased pain, fatigue, swelling, and flares; increased energy; pain-free range of motion and strength around affected joints; and a heightened sense of well-being. Conclusions: Tailored yoga therapy that emphasizes stress reduction may be beneficial for individuals with RA.


2003 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 778-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Bartlett ◽  
Ralph Piedmont ◽  
Andrew Bilderback ◽  
Alan K. Matsumoto ◽  
Joan M. Bathon

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dusan Mustur ◽  
Nada Vujasinovic-Stupar

Introduction: This open, uncontrolled study examined the effects of physical therapy and rehabilitation on the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Material and methods: The study included a total of 109 patients (69 with RA and 40 with PsA). Patients came from Norway for a four-week rehabilitation period at the Institute of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation & Rheumatology - Igalo from June till October, 2003. This was a self-controlled, pretest/posttest study. All patients had six days of physical therapy per week, during a four-week stay, which made a total of 24 therapy days. Basic therapy included mud packs/baths, kinesitherapy, hydrokinesitherapy and electrotherapy with analgesic effects. Quality of Life measurements were conducted two times (on admission and discharge) using questionnaire EuroQoL (EQ-5D). The research also included evaluation of ACR improvement. Results: Pain/disability scale and the well being scale showed that quality of life in patients with PsA was significantly lower in comparison with RA patients. However, after 4 weeks, quality of life was much better in most dimensions of the EuroQoL questionnaire. Patients showed no improvement in self-care activities (in both groups) and daily activities (in group with PsA). Significant improvement was measured also in ACR improvement criteria (around 30%). Conclusions: Physical therapy at the Igalo Institute and good climate conditions have significantly improved the Health-Related-Quality-of-Life in both groups of patients. ACR index showed great improvement after a four-week rehabilitation period.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 760-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Barnabe ◽  
Louise Crane ◽  
Tyler White ◽  
Brenda Hemmelgarn ◽  
Gilaad G. Kaplan ◽  
...  

Objective.To characterize patient-reported outcomes, resource use, and social participation during the course of biologic therapy for indigenous and non-indigenous patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patients initiating biologic therapy (2004 to 2012) were characterized longitudinally for patient-reported outcomes including physical function measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire, EQ-5D, well-being [Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36)], and visual analog scales for pain, fatigue, sleep, stiffness, and patient’s global assessment. Resource use, participation in activities of daily living, and effect of RA on work productivity were also evaluated for change during therapy.Results.Indigenous patients (n = 90) presented with significantly worse scores for global evaluation, pain, sleep, quality of life, well-being, and physical function compared to non-indigenous patients (n = 1400). All patient-reported outcomes improved significantly during treatment for patients in both groups, but pain, sleep, and SF-36 physical health score changes occurred at slower rates for indigenous patients [difference in slopes 0.09 (p = 0.029), 0.08 (p = 0.043), and −0.35 (p = 0.03), respectively]. Performance of daily activities was affected for 50% of indigenous compared to 37% of non-indigenous patients, with more use of community services and assistance from others. Employed indigenous patients reported twice the number of days being unable to work owing to RA compared to employed non-indigenous patients. Of the unemployed indigenous patients, 82% indicated they had stopped working because of arthritis, versus 48% of non-indigenous patients (p < 0.0001).Conclusions.Indigenous patients have greater consequences of RA regarding experienced symptoms, health-related quality of life, disruption of performance of activities of daily living, and reduced employment participation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
G. Utepbergenova ◽  
G. Kalenderova ◽  
H. Tursynbekova

A review of the literature on the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis, physical activity of patients, its role in the development of functional problems that cause restriction of life and decrease in the quality of life, as well as the effectiveness of physical exercise (exercise therapy, physical therapy) in the treatment of this pathology. Particular attention is paid to the good tolerability of exercise therapy, which some authors call additional treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, improving the functional state, but not affecting the course and outcome of the disease.


Author(s):  
Arpita Gopal ◽  
Rebecca Sydow ◽  
Valerie Block ◽  
Diane D. Allen

Abstract Background: Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently report sexual dysfunction, a condition that may result in low sexual satisfaction and decreased quality of life. Although sexual dysfunction is usually treated pharmacologically, physical therapists, especially those trained in pelvic floor physical therapy (PT), are well-equipped to address a variety of impairments that contribute to poor sexual function. The current evidence for effectiveness of PT interventions in improving sexual dysfunction, sexual satisfaction, and the emotional well-being aspect of quality of life was analyzed. Methods: The PubMed, CINAHL, and PEDro databases were searched through December 2019. Articles were included if participants had a clinical diagnosis of MS, reported sexual dysfunction or pain with intercourse, and had an intervention within the PT scope that addressed sexual dysfunction. Means and SDs were extracted from each study independently by two authors. Effect sizes (d) and 95% CIs were calculated within and across studies. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Combined effects were significant and large across six studies for sexual function (d = 0.82, 95% CI, 0.57–1.06), moderate across seven studies for sexual satisfaction (d = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.43–0.87), and moderately large across two studies for emotional well-being (d = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.17–1.40). Between-group differences reached significance for sexual satisfaction (d = 0.29, 95% CI, 0.03–0.55). Conclusions: Sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and emotional well-being can all be effectively addressed with various PT interventions. Highly effective interventions included pelvic floor muscle training and mindfulness. Future research should compare PT interventions with non-PT controls to determine best practice in this population.


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