AB1306-HPR THE EFFECTS OF CLINICAL PILATES EXERCISES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background:Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a rheumatic disease that may coexist many symptoms clinically. These clinical symptoms progress in a vicious cycle in many patients. Physical activity and exercise are known to improve many symptoms in RA patients.Objectives:This study was designed to investigate the effects of clinical pilates exercises on fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity, pain, sleep quality and quality of life.Methods:Thirty voluntary RA patients were included in this study. Patients were separated into three groups equally and each group was applied treatment for eight weeks. Clinical pilates exercises were practiced to the first group, aerobic exercises were practiced to the second group and combined training which was a combination of pilates exercises and aerobic exercises was performed to the third group. Fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity, pain, sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated by Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Six minute walk test (6MWT), Short- Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL), respectively.Results:According to our results, statistically significant improvements were found for clinical pilates exercises on fatigue, depression, aerobic capacity and quality of life (p<0.05). Improvements in all parameters except from pain were concluded for aerobic exercises and combined training (p<0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference among the treatment groups in assessments (p>0.05).Conclusion:Pilates exercises were found effective and safe for RA patients. Clinical pilates training may be as effective as aerobic exercises in patients with RA according to our study. Therefore, addition of clinical pilates exercises to the routine treatment of RA may enhance the success of rehabilitation.