Exercise therapy in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
T Takken1, M van Brussel, R H H Engelbert
1University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Pediatric Physical Therapy & Exercise Physiology, Room Kb 02.056.0, POBox 85090, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3508 AB. t.takken@umcutrecht.nl
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 22, 2008
Summary
Exercise therapy shows no statistically significant benefits for functional ability, quality of life, or aerobic capacity in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, studies found no adverse effects, suggesting exercise is safe for JIA patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Exercise therapy is a key component in arthritis management.
- Previous reviews focused on adult rheumatoid arthritis, not juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate exercise therapy's impact on functional ability, quality of life, and aerobic capacity in children with JIA.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in JIA.
- Searched multiple databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PEDro.
- Included 3 RCTs with 212 participants, assessing methodological quality.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis of functional ability, quality of life, and aerobic capacity showed no statistically significant improvements.
- Outcome measures favored exercise therapy, but results were not clinically important or significant.
- No studies reported negative effects or exacerbation of arthritis from exercise therapy.
Conclusions:
- Limited RCTs restrict generalizability, indicating no significant clinical or statistical evidence for exercise benefits in JIA.
- Standardized outcome measures are needed to better assess exercise therapy's potential benefits in JIA.
- While short-term effects appear promising and safe, long-term effects of exercise therapy in JIA remain uncertain.
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