Intensive dynamic training in water for rheumatoid arthritis functional class II--a long-term study of effects

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of once-weekly, intensive dynamic training in water of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Thirty patients with RA, functional class II, in a training group (TG) and 30 in a comparison group (CG) were assessed with respect to clinical, radiological and functional disease manifestations and psychosocial consequences before and after a four-year training period. After the training period the TG patients had significantly better grip strength and higher activity level, the latter maintained at two-year follow-up. There were significantly more CG patient admittances for acute hospital care during the training period. No other differences between the groups were found. Dynamic training at an intensive tempo does not seem, even in a long perspective, to lead to any undesirable consequences.