EFFECTS OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC SHOULDER ROTATOR EXERCISES IN WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The aim was to compare static and dynamic shoulder rotator endurance t raining in a group of women with mild rheumatoid arthritis and to see whether such training could influence impairment, disability, and hand icap. The effects on general health were also studied. Patients were r andomly assigned to a static (n = 17) (average age 59, median disease duration 7) or a dynamic training group (n = 20) (average age 56, medi an disease duration 10.5). Measurements were taken at the start, 10 we eks later when the training period was finished, and after a further 1 0 weeks. After the training both groups had fewer swollen joints in th e upper extremity and less shoulder-arm pain. The dynamic group patien ts also improved according to the physical and overall dimensions of t he Sickness Impact Profile. As impairment and aspects of disability an d handicap were influenced by training but not by the patients' opinio ns regarding perceived disease activity and health, these relationship s must be studied further.