Trial reportClinical rheumatology2020
Benefits of exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial of a patient-specific exercise programme.
Trial report in Clinical rheumatology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 32 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
32 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 85 citations in OpenAlex.
- The anti-inflammatory effects of exercise on autoimmune diseases: A 20-year systematic review.Journal of sport and health science · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- Effects of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 inhibitor therapy on exercise-related visceral adipose tissue reduction in rheumatoid arthritis.Experimental physiology · 2026Trial
- Effects of an eHealth Cardiac Exercise Rehabilitation Platform for Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Based on the Persuasive Systems Design Model: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Trial
- Article
- Evaluating usability, adherence and clinical benefit of a new digital heath application in rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot feasibility study.Rheumatology international · 2026Article
- Observational
- Review
- Physical Impairments in People With Gout: A Scoping Review.Musculoskeletal care · 2025Article
- Eccentric Exercise Guidelines for Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial.Health science reports · 2025Article
- Enhancing chronic disease management through physical activity and pedometry-based health monitoring.Rheumatology international · 2024Review
- Reproductive health and rheumatoid arthritis.BMC rheumatology · 2024Article
- Managing rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease: the role of physical medicine and rehabilitation.Rheumatology international · 2024Article
- The Effects of Exercise Training on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review.Journal of cardiovascular development and disease · 2024Review
- Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a real-life evidence from BioSTAR nationwide registry.Rheumatology international · 2024Article
- 'I never thought exercise could help improve my sleep': experiences of people with rheumatoid arthritis on the impact of an 8-week walking-based exercise intervention in improving their sleep.Rheumatology advances in practice · 2024Article
- Exercise therapy for improving cardiovascular health in rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology international · 2024Review
- Exercise Training for Chronic Pain: Available Evidence, Current Recommendations, and Potential Mechanisms.Current topics in behavioral neurosciences · 2024Review
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tend to be more overweight, take less physical exercise, exhibit decreased cardiorespiratory fitness and demonstrate reduced muscle strength compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Impaired cognitive function in RA is an important associated factor, although it has been less well-recognized. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a specifically designed exercise programme on body composition, aerobic capacity, muscle strength and cognition in RA.
methodsSixty-six patients with RA were randomized to a specifically designed, personalized exercise programme or standard care. Assessments included body composition, fitness, grip strength and cognitive testing, in addition to disease related measures.
resultsSignificant improvements in C-reactive protein (p = 0.025), fatigue scores (p = 0.047) and truncal fat (p = 0.004) were observed in the exercise group compared with controls. Median waist circumference was significantly reduced (94.0 to 91.4 cm, p < 0.0001). Improvements were also seen in aerobic capacity (23.2 to 27.6 ml/kg/min, p = 0.002) and in median right (12.0 to 13.0 kg, p = 0.025) and left grip strength (8.0 to 10 kg, p = 0.005). Cognitive function improved in the exercise group, with median Montreal Cognitive Assessment score 25.5 at 0 months compared to 28.0 at 3 months (p = 0.001).
conclusionThis study demonstrates that exercise has a significant and positive impact on cognitive function in RA. Furthermore, physical activity is safe and effective in chronic inflammatory joint disease and is recommended as a vital component in the holistic management of these patients.Key Points• A dedicated physical exercise programme is feasible and safe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).• Physical exercise helps reduce fatigue scores and improves cardiovascular fitness in stable RA patients.• Physical exercise has a positive impact on cognition in patients with RA.• A structured exercise programme should be an integral part of chronic disease management protocols for patients with RA.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.