3 ) short-term , water-based aerobic capacity training , which results show limited evidence for a positive effect on functional ability and aerobic capacity .
( 4 ) long-term , l and -based aerobic capacity and muscle strength training , which results show moderate evidence for a positive effect on aerobic capacity and muscle strength .
With respect to safety , no deleterious effects were found in any of the included studies .
Based on the evidence , aerobic capacity training combined with muscle strength training is recommended as routine practice in patients with RA
BACKGROUND An up-to- date overview of the effectiveness and safety of dynamic exercise therapy ( exercise therapy with a sufficient intensity , duration , and frequency to establish improvement in aerobic capacity and /or muscle strength ) is lacking .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of short-term ( < three months ) and long-term ( > three months ) dynamic exercise therapy programs ( aerobic capacity and /or muscle strength training ) , either l and or water-based , for people with RA .
To do this we up date d a previous Cochrane review ( van den Ende 1998 ) and made categories for the different forms of dynamic exercise programs .
A randomized and controlled trial of hydrotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy which combines elements of warm water immersion and exercise . It was predicted that hydrotherapy would result in a greater therapeutic benefit than either of these components separately . METHODS One hundred thirty-nine patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis were r and omly assigned to hydrotherapy , seated immersion , l and exercise , or progressive relaxation . Patients attended 30-minute sessions twice weekly for 4 weeks . Physical and psychological measures were completed before and after intervention , and at a 3-month followup . RESULTS All patients improved physically and emotionally , as assessed by the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 question naire . Belief that pain was controlled by chance happenings decreased , signifying improvement . In addition , hydrotherapy patients showed significantly greater improvement in joint tenderness and in knee range of movement ( women only ) . At followup , hydrotherapy patients maintained the improvement in emotional and psychological state . CONCLUSIONS Although all patients experienced some benefit , hydrotherapy produced the greatest improvements . This study , therefore , provides some justification for the continued use of hydrotherapy
3 ) short-term , water-based aerobic capacity training , which results show limited evidence for a positive effect on functional ability and aerobic capacity .
( 4 ) long-term , l and -based aerobic capacity and muscle strength training , which results show moderate evidence for a positive effect on aerobic capacity and muscle strength .
With respect to safety , no deleterious effects were found in any of the included studies .
Based on the evidence , aerobic capacity training combined with muscle strength training is recommended as routine practice in patients with RA
BACKGROUND An up-to- date overview of the effectiveness and safety of dynamic exercise therapy ( exercise therapy with a sufficient intensity , duration , and frequency to establish improvement in aerobic capacity and /or muscle strength ) is lacking .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of short-term ( < three months ) and long-term ( > three months ) dynamic exercise therapy programs ( aerobic capacity and /or muscle strength training ) , either l and or water-based , for people with RA .
To do this we up date d a previous Cochrane review ( van den Ende 1998 ) and made categories for the different forms of dynamic exercise programs .