There is not sufficient evidence yet available to base recommendations for or against the use of physiotherapy interventions for ankylosing spondylitis
BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) is a chronic rheumatic disease .
Due to the consequences of the disease , physiotherapy is regarded to be an important part of the treatment .
OBJECTIVES The objective is to summarise the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in the management of AS .
Cost effectiveness of group physical therapy compared to individualized therapy for ankylosing spondylitis. A randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE Cost effectiveness analysis is helpful in setting priorities for funding of health care programs . We studied the cost effectiveness of supervised group physical therapy compared to unsupervised exercises at home in patients with ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) . METHODS A total of 144 patients with AS ( modified New York criteria ; mean age : 43 years ) were r and omized to unsupervised daily individualized exercises at home for 9 months or the same plus supervised group physical therapy ( 3 h weekly ) . At baseline and after 9 months we measured spinal mobility ( thoracolumbar flexion and extension ) , fitness ( maximum work capacity by ergometry ) , and patient 's global assessment of change as measured on a visual analog scale . We used a question naire at baseline and a diary during the trial to measure AS related direct medical costs , such as doctor visits , paramedical treatment , medication and hospitalization . RESULTS The mean effects of group therapy and home exercises were , respectively , + 0.9 cm ( 16 % ) and + 0.5 cm ( 9 % ) for mobility , + 7 watts ( 4 % ) and -2 watts ( -1 % ) for fitness , and + 1.7 ( 34 % ) and + 0.3 ( 6 % ) for global health . These 3 differences were significant ( p < 0.01 for mobility , p = 0.05 for fitness and p < 0.01 for global health ) . During the trial total medical costs decreased by an average of US $ 379 ( 44 % ) for group therapy , and by $ 257 (35%)/patient/year for the " home " group . Additional costs of group therapy were estimated at $ 531/patient/year ( $ 177 for accommodation , $ 256 for therapist and $ 98 for material s ) . After the study 75 % of the patients wanted to continue group physical therapy and were willing to pay for it . CONCLUSION Compared to therapy at home , additional benefits of group therapy cost $ 531/year , but reduced direct medical costs by $ 122/year . Hence , the beneficial effects of group therapy cost $ 409/patient with AS/year
There is not sufficient evidence yet available to base recommendations for or against the use of physiotherapy interventions for ankylosing spondylitis
BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) is a chronic rheumatic disease .
Due to the consequences of the disease , physiotherapy is regarded to be an important part of the treatment .
OBJECTIVES The objective is to summarise the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in the management of AS .