In a nutshell
This review examined the effect of aerobic exercise on fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Some background
40-80% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients experience fatigue. Fatigue is associated with physiological issues, pain and disability. The management of fatigue in RA is limited. It is believed that aerobic (use of oxygen for energy during exercise) land-based exercise such as walking, running and cycling can reduce fatigue in RA patients.
Methods & findings
This review aimed to highlight the evidence from trials which suggest that aerobic exercise is effective in reducing fatigue in RA patients. The aerobic exercise was land-based and lasted for 15 minutes. The exercise intensity used in the chosen trial must have been 50-90% and it must have been performed at least twice a week for at least 4 consecutive weeks.
The trials reviewed provide evidence that aerobic exercise can reduce fatigue in RA patients. One trial in particular found that RA patients had less fatigue after 12 weeks when they carried out exercise. After 24 weeks, however, the reduction in fatigue was not apparent.
The bottom line
This review concluded that there is evidence which suggests that aerobic exercise is effective in reducing fatigue in RA patients in the short-term. However, the effects are quite small.
The fine print
This review only focused on the results obtained from one clinical trial. The patients that were included in the selected trial were not recruited based in the fact that they experienced fatigue. This may have been responsible for the fact that only a minor reduction in fatigue was observed. Therefore, it may have been ideal to compare fatigue between patients who do and do not experience fatigue. In addition, it is not known whether patients adhered to the exercise program throughout the 24 weeks.
What’s next?
Consult your physician regarding the strategies which can be taken to reduce fatigue.
Published By :
Arthritis Care & Research
Date :
Jan 26, 2015
