AB0916 EFFECTIVENESS OF A PERSONALIZED PHYSICAL TRAINING PROGRAM ON DISEASE ACTIVITY AND AEROBIC CAPACITY IN axSpA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY
Authors: M. Rigaud, V. Pecourneau, G. Guernec, Y. Degboe, B. Jamard, M. Masson, D. Nigon, F. Pillard, L. Zabraniecki, A. Ruyssen-Witrand, A. Constantin
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> In addition to pharmacological treatment, physical therapy, including physical activity, is currently recommended in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, few studies have specifically assessed the impact of a personalized physical training program on disease activity. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of a personalized physical training program on disease activity in patients with axSpA. <h3>Methods:</h3> The <b>PE</b>rsonalized <b>P</b>hysical training <b>P</b>rogram <b>S</b>tudy (<b>PEPS</b>) is a prospective, single-center, superiority, controlled trial, including axSpA patients (ASAS criteria), with active disease (ASDAS ≥2.1), under treatment with NSAID and/or anti-TNF. Patients were randomized in 2 groups: the intervention group (n=19) consisting in a physical training program, personalized according to the results of a cycle ergometer test performed at inclusion, with 2 weekly sessions of incremental training on cycle ergometer for 9 weeks (PEPS group), and the control group (n=21) consisting in an educational session focused on the benefits of physical activity, coupled with a cycle ergometer test performed at inclusion (INFORM group). Clinical, functional and therapeutic characteristics of axSpA (ASDAS, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, pain VAS, CRP and NSAID consumption) were assessed at baseline, week 12 and week 24, while aerobic capacity was assessed on cycle ergometer at baseline and week 12 in both groups. Primary endpoint was ASAS20 response at week 12. Secondary endpoints were ASAS20 response at week 24, mean change from baseline in ASDAS, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, pain VAS, CRP and NSAID consumption at week 12 and week 24 and mean change from baseline in aerobic capacity at week 12. <h3>Results:</h3> At week 12, ASAS20 response was significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group (52.6% vs 23.8%, p = 0.0422). At week 24, there was no longer statistically significant difference on ASAS20 response between the intervention group than in the control group (33.3% vs 25.0%, p = 0.572). At week 12, there was a statistically significant improvement of aerobic capacity in the intervention group in comparison with the control group, notably maximal heart rate (HRmax, 7,25 (11,53) vs -3,47 (13,81), p=0.017), maximal oxygen consumption test (VO2max, +0.2 (0.2) L/min vs -0.03 (0.2) L/min, p=0.008) and maximal power output (Pmax, +19,69 (13,35) vs +4,74 (18,59), p=0.008). No serious adverse event was reported over 24 weeks. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> In our study, a personalized physical training program provided a short term significant improvement on both disease activity and aerobic capacity in patients with active axSpA. These results support the recommendation encouraging exercise in axSpA, notably supervised aerobic exercise training. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>