Most studies showed a positive effect of exercise on Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index , Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index , pain , mobility , function and quality of life .
Results support a multimodal approach , including educational sessions and maintaining home-based program .
Ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) is a chronic and inflammatory rheumatic disease , characterized by pain and structural and functional impairments , such as reduced mobility and axial deformity , which lead to diminished quality of life .
Its treatment includes not only drugs , but also nonpharmacological therapy .
Exercise appears to be a promising modality .
The aim of this study is to review the current evidence and evaluate the role of exercise either on l and or in water for the management of patients with AS in the biological era .
The effects of combined spa therapy and rehabilitation on patients with ankylosing spondylitis being treated with TNF inhibitors
Despite advances in pharmacological therapy , physical treatment continues to be important in the management of ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) . The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects and tolerability of combined spa therapy and rehabilitation in a group of AS patients being treated with TNF inhibitors . Thirty AS patients attending the Rheumatology Unit of the University of Padova being treated with TNF inhibitors for at least 3 months were r and omized and assessed by an investigator independent from the spa staff : 15 were prescribed 10 sessions of spa therapy ( mud packs and thermal baths ) and  rehabilitation ( exercises in a thermal pool ) and the other 15 were considered controls . The patients in both groups had been receiving anti-TNF agents for at least three months . The outcome measures utilized were BASFI , BASDAI , BASMI , VAS for back pain and HAQ . The evaluations were performed in all patients at the entry to the study , at the end of the spa treatment , and after 3 and 6 months . Most of the evaluation indices were significantly improved at the end of the spa treatment , as well as at the 3 and 6 months follow-up assessment s. No significant alterations in the evaluation indices were found in the control group . Combined spa therapy and rehabilitation caused a clear , long-term clinical improvement in AS patients being treated with TNF inhibitors . Thermal treatment was found to be well tolerated and none of the patients had disease relapse
Most studies showed a positive effect of exercise on Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index , Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index , pain , mobility , function and quality of life .
Results support a multimodal approach , including educational sessions and maintaining home-based program .
Ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) is a chronic and inflammatory rheumatic disease , characterized by pain and structural and functional impairments , such as reduced mobility and axial deformity , which lead to diminished quality of life .
Its treatment includes not only drugs , but also nonpharmacological therapy .
Exercise appears to be a promising modality .
The aim of this study is to review the current evidence and evaluate the role of exercise either on l and or in water for the management of patients with AS in the biological era .