EVALUATION OF THE PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS CAN EXERCISE PROGRAM (PACE) USING THREE APPROACHES: PHYSIOLOGICAL, CLINICAL, AND SUBJECTIVE (ARTHRITIS, EXERCISE).
Contributors: University of Oregon.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 161
Subjects: Education, Physical.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Rehabilitation and Therapy.; Education, Health.
Description: This study was conducted to examine changes in endurance, joint motion and flexibility, and socialization interaction as measured by physiological, clinical, and subjective approaches. The 4 subjects with symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis participated in an 8-week, 3-day-per-week People With Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) Program. The 4 case studies presented results across three time periods: baseline, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks.

Descriptive results were analyzed: (a) peak oxygen consumption (MVO$\sb2);$ (b) exercise endurance time; (c) number of clinically active joints; (d) joint angles; and (e) the four Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS) subscales of Physical Activity, Dexterity, Pain, and Social Interaction. Peak-oxygen-consumption changes at Week 4 were no change for 3 subjects, and a twofold increase for 1 subject. (Equipment failure prevented MVO$\sb2$ measurement at Week 8). The exercise endurance time results were mixed: 3 subjects experienced a decline ranging from 7% to 47% at Week 4, and 25% to 66% at Week 8; the remaining subject's time decreased by 45% at Week 4, followed by a 30% increase at 8 weeks.

The number of clinically active joints assessed for pain, swelling, and joint malalignment ranged from 4 to 12; the results demonstrated a 33.3% and 99.9% improvement for 2 subjects. The number of joints was consistent with the direction of the subjects' change scores for the AIMS Pain subscale. Subjectively, 1 subject without documented change stated her hand range of motion improved with PACE classes which concurred with the joint-assessment results. Flexibility changes measured by videotaped recordings of the performance of seven maneuvers demonstrated significant improvement in 13% (n = 5 joints) to 23% (n = 9 joints) of the 38 joints assessed for each subject. There were no significant change scores in the AIMS Physical Activity subscale. A reduction in pain on the AIMS Pain subscale was indicated by 2 subjects. A loss of flexibility on the AIMS Dexterity subscale at Week 4, with a subsequent improvement at Week 8, was demonstrated by 2 subjects. Social Activity improved for 3 of the 4 subjects as quantified by a greater number of monthly telephone conversations and/or visits with family or friends. No correlation was found between the exercise endurance test and the AIMS Physical Activity subscale, or between the joint assessment and the AIMS Dexterity subscale.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-09, Section: A, page: 3140.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, 1992.

School code: 0171.