EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON FATIGUE, AEROBIC FITNESS, AND DISEASE-ACTIVITYMEASURES IN PERSONS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The effects of 12 weeks of low-impact aerobic exercise on fatigue, aer obic fitness, and disease activity were examined in a quasi-experiment al time series study of 25 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Meas ures were obtained preintervention, midtreatment (after 6 weeks of exe rcise), end of treatment (after 12 weeks of exercise), and at a 15-wee k follow-up. ANOVAS for repeated measures showed that those subjects w ho participated more frequently reported decreased fatigue, while thos e who participated less frequently reported an increase in fatigue. Al l subjects, on average, showed increased aerobic fitness and increased right and left hand grip strength, decreased pain, and decreased walk time. There were no significant increases in joint count or sedimenta tion rate. Significant improvements in measures at the 15-week follow- up also were found. Findings indicate that persons with RA who partici pate in appropriate exercises may lessen fatigue levels and experience other positive effects without worsening their arthritis. (C) 1997 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Inc.