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Published on: July 14, 2023
High-intensity interval training improves cardiovascular and physical health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a
Annelie Bilberg1,2, Kaisa Mannerkorpi3, Mats Borjesson4,5
1Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, University of Gothenburg Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden annelie.bilberg@vgregion.se.
Objectives:
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have substantially elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases, and low cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) is a major mediator. The aim of this assessor-blinded, two-armed multicentre randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength exercise on cardiovascular health, physical fitness and overall health in patients with RA.
Methods:
In total, 87 patients (86% female; aged 20-60 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG performed HIIT and strength exercise for 12 weeks. The CG was instructed to be physically active on a moderately intensive level, ≥150 min/week. Primary outcome was change in VO2max. Secondary outcomes were changes in anthropometry measures, muscle strength, overall health (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)-Global), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), pain and disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)).
Results:
There was a significant mean group difference of change on VO2max (3.71 mL/kg/min; 95% CI 2.16, 5.25) in favour of the IG. Significant mean group differences of change were also seen for O2-pulse (1.38; 95% CI 0.85 to 1.91), waist circumference (-2.6; 95% CI -5.09 to -0.18), 1-minute sit-to-stand (5.0; 95% CI 3.35 to 6.72), handgrip strength (28.5; 95% CI 3.80 to 52.8), overall health (-14.7; 95% CI -23.8 to -5.50) and PGIC (p<0.0001) in favour of the IG. No significant mean group differences of change were found for pain (-4.0; 95% CI -13.07 to 5.06), DAS28 (-0.25; 95% CI -0.60 to 0.10) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (-0.64; 95% CI -3.23 to 1.90).
Conclusion:
Supervised HIIT and strength exercise improved cardiovascular health, physical fitness and overall health without a deterioration in pain and disease activity and should be considered in patients with well-controlled RA.
Trial Registration Number:
NCT05768165.
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