THU0722-HPR Physical therapy is effective in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomisedcontrolled trial
Authors: A. Ünal Enginar, H. Uğurlu
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the spine and may cause serious functional impairment. The prevalence of AS is approximately 0.1% of the Caucasoid population. Treatment of AS includes use of antiinflammatory drugs to reduce pain and stiffness. In addition, patients are advised to exercise daily and to engage in weekly group physical therapy to maintain mobility of the spine and peripheral joints. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate the effects of physical therapy on pain, disease activity, functional and emotional status and quality of life in patients with AS. <h3>Methods</h3> Thirty one patients diagnosed with AS and followed up in outpatient clinic were conducted into the study. Routine physical examination of musculosceletal and neurological system of all patients has been performed. Patients divided into two groups (physical therapy group and control group) as random. 15 seance physical therapy (hotpack, ultrasound, TENS and hydrotherapy) exercise and medical treatment performed for the physical therapy group and only home exercise programme and medical treatment for control group. All patients received medical therapy which was not changed during the study. We evaluated all patients with visual analogue scale (VAS) at night and rest for pain, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) for functional status, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for disease activity and modified Schober, finger floor distance (FFD), lateral flexion of the lumbar spine, cervical rotation, intermalleolar distance, tragus wall distance, chest expansion, cheek manibrium distance and Bath Ankylosing Sponylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) for spinal mobility measurements at the begining, 2nd and 6th weeks. Also Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and short form 36 (SF-36) were fullfilled by all patients at the begining and 6th week. <h3>Results</h3> Between the groups there was no difference in demographic data.We showed significant improvement in all parameters except lateral flexion, tragus wall distance measurements for spinal mobility and beck depression index scores at second week (p&lt;0.05) in physical therapy group. This improvement in all parameters was discontiniued for intermalleolar distance, cheek manubrium distance, cervical rotation,finger floor distance and BASFI at 6th week measurements. We also showed significant improvements mental capasity and social function subgroups of SF-36 at 6th week when compared with begining (p&lt;0.05). We detected significant improvement in second week and sixth week for VAS rest and general health subgroup of SF-36 at physical therapy group when comparing two groups. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Physical therapy may have benefical effects on pain, spinal mobility and quality of life in patients with AS. <h3>References</h3> [1] Khan MA. Clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis. In: Hochberg MC, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH (Eds.), Rheumatology. Mosby, Philadelphia 2003;2:1161–81. [2] Ince G, Sarpel T, Durgun B. Effects of a multimodal exercise program for people with ankylosing spondylitis. Physical Therapy2006;86(7):924–35. [3] Van Tubergen A, Landewe R, van der Heijde D, et al. Combined spa-exercise therapyis effective in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial. ArthritisRheum2001;45:430–8. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> A. Ünal Enginar Shareholder of: none, Grant/research support from: none, Consultant for: none, Employee of: none, Paid instructor for: none, Speakers bureau: none, H. Uğurlu Shareholder of: none, Grant/research support from: none, Consultant for: none, Employee of: none, Paid instructor for: none, Speakers bureau: none