Feasibility of a home-based exercise intervention for patients with systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease causing pain, reduced mobility and decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies suggest that exercise is a necessary adjunct to the medical treatment.

To examine the feasibility of a 12-week home-based exercise program for SSc patients, and evaluate changes in physical function, HRQoL and SSc-related symptoms.

Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Feasibility was measured by adherence, adverse events, and exercise task self-efficacy. At baseline and follow-up patients completed the 6-minute walk test, 30-second sit-to-stand test, 30-second arm curl, SSc Impact of Disease (ScleroID) and 36-item short form survey (SF-36).

Median adherence to the intervention was 36 (interquartile range 27-36) out of a total of 36 exercise sessions. Fifteen patients completed the intervention, with three dropouts. Patients' exercise task self-efficacy was 98%, 93% and 78%, for one, two and three weekly exercise sessions, respectively. There were no adverse events related to the exercise sessions. Improvements were observed in all physical tests, and minor improvements in HRQoL and SSc-related symptoms.

This study suggests that a home-based exercise intervention is feasible for patients with SSc. The results suggest improvements in physical function, HRQoL and SSc-related symptoms.