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 .
Conservative hand therapy treatments in rheumatoid arthritis--a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of three different physiotherapeutic approaches in the management of the  rheumatoid h and . METHODS In a r and omized controlled trial , participants with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) recruited from a rheumatology department in Mid-Staffordshire , UK ( February 1999 to January 2001 ) were r and omized to three groups . All received joint protection ( JP ) information delivered by a therapist at baseline . Group 1 participants received a set of additional h and -strengthening and mobilizing home exercises , group 2 a different set of additional h and -stretching exercises and group 3 the JP information alone . The primary outcome was the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales II ( AIMS II ) ( upper limb ; h and and finger function subscales ) . Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 , 3 and 6 months . Analysis was by intention to treat . RESULTS Sixty-seven participants ( mean age 59.6 yr ) were recruited : group 1 n = 21 , group 2 n = 24 and group 3 n = 22 . A 78 % follow-up was achieved at 6 months . There was a mean fall ( SD ) in AIMS II upper limb function 0 - 6 month change scores in group 1 of 1.00 ( 1.07 ) . In groups 2 and 3 there was a mean increase in AIMS II scores of 0.18 ( 1.54 ) and 0.30 ( 1.22 ) , respectively . The differences in AIMS change scores between group 1 and groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant ( P = 0.007 ) and remained so after adjustment for multiple testing ( P = 0.012 ) . CONCLUSION Statistically significant improvements in arm function have been demonstrated following a programme of home-strengthening h and exercises in RA patients compared with simple stretches or advice alone
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 .