Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2001 Jun;4(1):84-93.

Effects of Brisk Walking & Muscle Strengthening Exercise Using Thera-band on Pain, Fatigue, Physical Function, and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lee EN

Abstract

The effects of brisk walking & muscle strengthening exercise on pain, fatigue, physical function & disease activity were examined in 28 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Research design was a quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. 14 for the experimental group and 14 for the control group were selected from the outpatients on rheumatoid arthritis clinic of Dong-A University Hospital. The experimental group underwent 16 weeks of brisk walking and muscle strengthening exercise using Thera-Band. Pain, fatigue. physical function & disease activity was measured before and after 16 weeks of exercise. At baseline test, Fatigue & physical function score between groups were significantly different. So differences within experimental group (baseline versus follow up)were compared with differences within the control group by Mann-Whitney test. There were significant differences between groups in the difference score on pain (U=6.50 p .001) and fatigue (U=26.5 p .0l). For the experimental group. the score on the pain & fatigue was significantly decreased but no changed for the control group. Also there was a significant differences between groups in the difference score of the physical function (u=22.5 p .001). For the experimental group, the score of the physical function has been significantly increased. However, for the control group, it has been no changed. But there were no significant differences between groups in the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and the CRP (C-reactive protein) level. In summary, brisk walking & muscle strengthening exercise led to significant improvements in pain, fatigue. and physical function without exacerbating disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

MeSH Terms

Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Fatigue*
Humans
Outpatients
Research Design
Walking*