Feasibility of an eight-week dance-based exercise program and its effects on locomotor ability of persons with functional class III rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The main objectives of this experimental case series were to evaluate the feasibility of a modified dance-based exercise program with low ground impacts in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) functional class III and to describe its effects on locomotor ability. The relationship between 3 locomotor tests and their responsiveness also were addressed.


METHODS
Ten female subjects participated in an 8-week exercise program. Locomotor ability was measured before and after the program using the 50-foot test of walking time, the 6-minute test of walking distance, and the locomotion biomechanical analysis.


RESULTS
All subjects showed a high compliance (92.5% presence at sessions) over the 8 weeks of exercise without any aggravation in disease status. They were able to train efficiently at moderate intensity up to 25 minutes. Significant improvements were found in locomotor ability, with a higher responsiveness measured by the locomotion biomechanical analysis, followed by the 6-minute gait test and the 50-foot gait test. Inconsistent relationships between tests suggested that different locomotor abilities are required during tests.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the feasibility of a modified dance-based exercise program for persons with severe RA. With high levels of responsiveness, the detailed biomechanical analysis and the 6-minute gait test are recommended for the assessment of locomotor ability.
Moffet
H
H
Quebec Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Noreau
L
L
Parent
E
E
Drolet
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003615:Dancing; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking