PR - Effects of exercise programme in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Effects of a short-term exercise programme on fitness, inflammation and cardiovascular risk in women with Rheumatoid arthritis.

• IRAS ID

  179033

• Contact name

  James Turner

• Contact email

  J.E.Turner@bath.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Bath

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 6 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  This study will investigate whether a six-week exercise programme for women with Rheumatoid Arthritis (an inflammatory condition of joints) improves disease activity, fitness and muscle strength, and risk factors for heart disease.
  Previous research has shown that aerobic exercise such as cycling, and strength training can reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints, and improve strength and fitness.
  In the normal population exercise is recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease. Patients with Rheumatoid arthritis are at a 50% increased risk of heart disease. Despite this, there are no clear exercise recommendations for this group of patients.

  We will study 24 women with Rheumatoid Arthritis between the age of 18 and 69 years. Twelve patients will be randomised to the exercise group and twelve to the control group.

  Before and after the exercise programme all patients will have blood tests taken and joints assessed for inflammation, measurement of muscle strength and fitness, and 10-year risk of heart disease estimated. A doctor and physiotherapist will supervise the Patients in the exercise group twice a week to do 30 minutes cycling, 30 minutes strengthening exercises, and stretching. They will also do a 30-minute walk each weekend unsupervised. The control will have no intervention during this time
  The study will take place in the Mitre Sports Gym in Musgrave Park hospital, Northern Ireland.

  We expect to see a decrease in disease activity (which is measured by assessing how swollen and tender a patient’s joints are, along with the level of “inflammation” in the blood), and an increase in strength and fitness.
  We also hope this study will show that aerobic and strength-training exercises in women with Rheumatoid arthritis will reduce their risk of heart disease.

• REC name

  South East Scotland REC 01

• REC reference

  16/SS/0064

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Mar 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion