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 .
McKenzie training in patients with early stages of ankylosing spondylitis: results of a 24-week controlled study.
BACKGROUND It is widely accepted that patient education and regular exercises could improve pain , function and maintain posture in ankylosing spondylitis ( AS ) . AIM The main aim of our study was to demonstrate the benefits of a specific , McKenzie training focusing on pain , spine flexibility , disease activity and function , as well as chest expansion in AS . DESIGN Controlled study . SETTING Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department . POPULATION Patients with early AS . METHODS Prospect i ve 24-week controlled study in 52 patients with early AS ( modified 1984 New York criteria ) r and omly assigned to perform either McKenzie training ( 28 AS ) or classic kinetic exercises ( 24 AS ) . Efficacy parameters comprising pain , lumbar spine mobility ( modified Schober test , mST ; finger-to-floor distance , FFD ; BASMI ) , chest expansion ( CE ) , disease activity ( BASDAI ) and function ( BASFI ) were evaluated during three visits ( week 0 , 12 and 24 after the initiation of the kinetic program ) . The exercise protocol consisted of 50-minute sessions performed 3 times weekly for 24 weeks , with a 12-week learning module assisted by a trained physical therapist in the outpatient rheumatology and rehabilitation department , and a 12-week module performed individually at home .  Only subjects attending the kinetic program on a regular basis ( at least 2 times weekly , at least 60 attended sessions during the study ) were and accepted for the final evaluation . RESULTS After 12 and 24 weeks of exercises we reported significant improvement in pain ( P=0.015 and P=0.003 ) , metrology ( mST : P=0.001 and P=0.001 ; FFD : P=0.002 and P=0.001 ; BASMI : P=0.001 and P=0.001 ) , disease activity ( BASDAI : P=0.004 and P=0.001 ) and function ( BASFI : P=0.001 at both visits ) in the McKenzie group . mST , BASDAI , BASFI and BASMI also improved at both visits in controls ( P<0.05 ) , while CE and FFD significantly changed only in long-term assessment ( P<0.05 ) . Intergroup analysis demonstrated significant differences in all measurements including favoring AS in the McKenzie exercises ( P=0.001 ) . CONCLUSION A specific McKenzie training should be included in the st and ard-care of AS aim ing to improve pain , posture and function , especially in early axial disease . CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT A specific McKenzie training should be included in the st and ard-care of AS
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 .