Rheumatology Medical News about Ankylosing spondylitis, Exercise therapy

Become a Member Today!
Register

Most Viewed Abstracts

1. Report Shows Shift in Starting Salaries for Physicians

2. Rapid correction of low vitamin D status in nursing home residents

3. 2008 Exclusive Survey—Earnings: Good news for primary care income

4. Medicare pay-for-reporting effort draws fire from frustrated doctors

5. Allopurinol-induced recurrent dress syndrome: Pathophysiology and treatment

Your Article Summary

See Latest Articles

(Click the title below to leave the MDLinx Network and go to the Journal's Website)

The effectiveness of exercise therapy for ankylosing spondylitis: A review
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 08/19/09

Wang CY et al. – Exercise therapy is an important component of current standard therapy for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this review is to provide guidelines when prescribing exercises by referring to the articles evaluating the effectives and usefulness of exercise therapy in these patients. Some of the recommendations are as follows:

Home exercise: is time-efficient, economical, and convenient and is thus the preferred form of exercise
Home exercise consists of both recreational and back exercises; both types can relieve pain and stiffness, but only back exercises can improve function
Issues to be considered in prescribing home exercises for pts with AS:
- Disease duration and types of exercise
- Exercise frequency and duration
- Strategy to improve motivation and compliance to home exercise
Factors that might affect the amount of improvement:
- Disease severity
- Disease duration
Exercise combined with spa therapy: A 3-wk course of combined spa-exercise therapy has shown more beneficial effects

Conclusion: Home exercise program is the most convenient option for pts with AS. The disease duration must be considered when prescribing a home exercise program. The key to the success of a home exercise program: