Exercise therapy is effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis , sub-acute ( 6 to 12 weeks ) and chronic ( > or = 12 weeks ) low back pain , cystic fibrosis , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and intermittent claudication .
Furthermore , there are indications that exercise therapy  is effective for patients with ankylosing spondylitis , hip osteoarthritis , Parkinson 's disease , and for patients who have suffered a stroke .
There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with neck pain , shoulder pain , repetitive strain injury , rheumatoid arthritis , asthma , and bronchiectasis .
Exercise therapy is not effective for  patients with acute low back pain .
It is concluded that exercise therapy is effective for a wide range of chronic disorders
The purpose of this project was to summarise the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal , nervous , respiratory , and cardiovascular systems .
Active treatment programs for patients with chronic low back pain: a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study
Summary Several new studies have indicated that an active approach to patients with chronic disabling low back pain ( LBP ) seems effective . Some of these studies emphasize the importance of dealing with the patient 's total situation in comprehensive multidisciplinary programs — the bio-psycho-social model . However , these programs are expensive . The aim of this study was to evaluate the rehabilitation outcome from three different active programs in terms of : ( 1 ) return-to-work rate , ( 2 ) days of sick leave , ( 3 ) health-care contacts , ( 4 ) pain and disability scores , and ( 5 ) staying physically active . The subjects included 132 patients r and omized to the study , of whom 123 started one of the treatment programs . They had all had at least 6 months of chronic LBP . The patients were r and omized into one of three programs : group 1 — a full-time , intensive 3-week multidisciplinary program , including active physical and ergonomic training and psychological pain management , followed by 1 day weekly for the subsequent 3 weeks ; group 2 — active physical training , twice a week for 6 weeks , for a total of 24h ; group 3 — psychological pain management combined with active physical training , twice a week for 6 weeks , also for a total of 24h . The results presented here are based on data collected 4 months following treatment , which shows an 86 % response rate . The initial examination and the follow-up evaluation were performed by a blinded observer . The results show that 4 months after treatment , the intensive multidisciplinary program is superior to the less intensive programs in terms of return-to-work rate , health-care contacts , pain and disability scores , and staying physically active . In conclusion , it seems that although the multidisciplinary program is initially expensive compared to the less intensive programs , the savings in sick pay , early retirement pensions , and health care contacts make it economically worthwhile . Long-term follow-up will show whether this effect continues
Exercise therapy is effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis , sub-acute ( 6 to 12 weeks ) and chronic ( > or = 12 weeks ) low back pain , cystic fibrosis , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and intermittent claudication .
Furthermore , there are indications that exercise therapy  is effective for patients with ankylosing spondylitis , hip osteoarthritis , Parkinson 's disease , and for patients who have suffered a stroke .
There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with neck pain , shoulder pain , repetitive strain injury , rheumatoid arthritis , asthma , and bronchiectasis .
Exercise therapy is not effective for  patients with acute low back pain .
It is concluded that exercise therapy is effective for a wide range of chronic disorders
The purpose of this project was to summarise the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal , nervous , respiratory , and cardiovascular systems .