EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON FATIGUE AND DEPRESSION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, systemic, inflammatory condition causing pain, disability, and psychological distress. It is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease, affecting 0.1-1% of the population. Women are affected 3 times more than men. Because of its chronic, painful, and disabling character, RA tends to have a profound impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Materials and methods: In the present study a convenience sample of 30 individuals between 30 to 60 years of age group according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The exercise intervention was participation in aerobic exercise session 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. The session consisted of 3 phases –1)Warm-up phase 2).Aerobic period 3) Cool down phase.Subjects were given their target heart rate for 40% and 60% of their HRmax. They were instructed to start exercising at 40% and progress to 60% as tolerated given their subjective exertion using the Talk Test (being able to talk while exercising without being short of breath). Global Fatigue Index Of The Multidimensional Assessment Of Fatigue Questionnaire (GFI) and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies- Depression Scale (CES-D)were used as outcome measures for evaluating fatigue and severity of depression respectively in the subjects and the data was statistically analysed. Results: Paired t-test was done for pre and post mean values for MAF-GFI scale. The results showed statistically significant values for both the outcome measures (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study concludes that 6 weeks of aerobic exercise showed significant effect in decreasing fatigue and depression in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. KEY WORDS: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fatigue, Depression, Aerobic Exercise.