The effect of exercise program applied to patients with scleroderma on functional outcomes: A Randomized Controlled...

The study aimed to investigate the effects of an exercise program applied to patients with systemic sclerosis on hand and mouth functional results and quality of life.

This randomized controlled experimental study included a total of 46 patients with systemic sclerosis, divided into 23 in the intervention group and 23 in the control group using simple randomization. Data were collected using Exercise Program Multi-Purpose Digital Disc-DVD, Duruöz Hand Scale, Mouth Opening Measurement Form and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Patients in the intervention group received the exercise program in addition to the standard protocol and the Exercise Program DVD was uploaded to their mobile phones after the initial interview. All patients were assessed at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks.

Overall, 95.5% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 51.70 ± 11.11 years. The groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in hand function, mouth function, and quality of life at the final follow-up.

The exercise program applied to patients with systemic sclerosis had positive effects on hand and mouth functional outcomes and quality of life, demonstrating effectiveness in improving functional abilities and well-being.

The study was registered as a randomized controlled trial in the Clinical Trial Registration Center of Turkey. Registration Number: NCT06425653. URL:  https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06425653. Registration Date: 05/22/2024.