Investigation of factors affecting exercise perception in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study

Exercise perceptions influence exercise behavior in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to investigate factors associated with exercise perception in women with RA. A total of 104 patients (mean age:57 years; DAS-28 score:2.7 ± 0.8) were included. Exercise perception was assessed using the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS), evaluating perceived exercise benefits (PEBE) and barriers (PEBA). Physical activity (PA) was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Exercise self-efficacy, fatigue, body awareness, social support, quality of life, and beliefs about medicines were assessed using the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire, Body Awareness Questionnaire, MOS-Social Support Survey, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. Correlation analysis with adjustments and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Most participants were married (85.6%), had a low education level (71.1%), and were in RA remission (67.3%). PEBE and general exercise beliefs were negatively associated with fatigue (r=-0.396 and - 0.425). PEBA was negatively associated with PA level, exercise self-efficacy, and BA (r=-0.448,-0.486, and - 0.561, respectively). Additionally, higher PEBE scores was independently associated with greater PA levels and exercise self-efficacy, whereas higher PEBA was associated with lower body awareness and greater fatigue in women with RA. Higher fatigue was associated with poorer exercise benefit perceptions and greater perceived exercise barriers. Women with higher perceived barriers had lower PA levels, lower exercise self-efficacy, and poorer body awareness. Evaluating exercise perceptions may help guide rehabilitation planning for women with RA.