The comparative effectiveness of high-intensity dynamic training with the use of exercise machines and therapeutic gymnastics for the joints in the patients presenting with early rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to compare the effectiveness of two therapeutic exercise programs for the patients presenting with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study included 51 patients. Fifteen of them (group 1) were given conventional medicamental therapy in combination with high-intensity dynamic physical exercises with the use of the Enraf-Nonius training devices (45-60 min). Eighteen patients of group 2 were offered 10 sessions of remedial gymnastics for the joints (45 min each) under the guidance of an instructor that were continued under the domestic conditions (45 min each session thrice weekly for 3 months). Eighteen patients of group 3 were given medicamental therapy alone (control). The parameters estimated in the study included the mean strength of knee joint extension and ankle joint flexion measured with the use of En-TreeM devices, articular pain (100 mm BAHI), DAS28, HAQ, and RAPID3 indices. It was shown that both programs of therapeutic exercises reduced the severity of the disease, improved the functional and motor activity of the patients and their quality of life. The majority of these characteristics were significantly different from those documented in the control group (p<0.05). The clinical effectiveness of high-intensity training with the use of exercise machines was higher than without them (articular pain was reduced by 57.9% (p<0.01), DAS28 by 24.7% (p<0.05), HAQ by 60.7% (p<0.01). RAPID3 by 47.5% (p<0.01), mean strength of extension of the weak and strong knee joints increased by 87.9% (p<0.01) and 70.5% (p<0.01) respectively, the strength of flexion of the severely and less severely affected ankle joints increased by 84.6 (p<0.01) and 68.8% (p<0.01) respectively. Compliance with regular performance of therapeutic joint exercises during 3 months was higher (83.3%) than with high-intensity dynamic training with the use of exercise machines (60%). It is concluded that the latter modality should be recommended to the younger patients with RA (below 40 years), a short history of the disease, and its low activity.