The effect of water exercise therapy given to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
It is well known that patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have a reduced muscular function. The positive effect of physical training on rheumatic patients has been shown. In this study the effect of exercise therapy performed in a heated swimming pool has been evaluated for eight patients in a non-acute stage of rheumatoid arthritis. The median pre-treatment maximal isometric and isokinetic quadriceps strength was 88 Nm (44-146) and 99 Nm (62-149) respectively, which was 61% and 70% of that found in a control group of healthy persons. After 2 months exercise therapy the median maximal isometric and isokinetic quadriceps strength increased by 38% and 16% compared to the pre-treatment value (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.05). All patients, except one who developed cardiac arrhythmia during the second test, accomplished a submaximal bicycle test (a.m. Astrand). An increase in the aerobic capacity was observed in all patients after the training period.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D013551:Swimming Pools