Arthritis Folks Move On

Supervised exercise for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients can show dramatic improvement in their quality of life, according to a recent study presented in Copenhagen at the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism. ScienceDaily reported the announcement, June 23, 2009.

Led by Dr. Miguel Souse of Instituto Portugues de Phematology in Lisbon, Portugal, the three-month study revealed, “”When joints are stiff and painful, proactively taking exercise might seem undesirable for people with RA. However, our study has demonstrated that regular and supervised moderate aerobic workouts and strengthening exercises may be extremely beneficial for both a patient’s physical and mental health, with a corresponding effect on quality of life. The challenge for physicians is to provide suitable motivation and reassurance to their RA patients in order that they initiate and stick with such a programme.”

If regular bone on bone hip joints react the same as RA, it is easy to be reluctant IF the patient is worried the bones will get ground down further.

What do the bone doctors think and who leads such ‘supervised exercise’ here in Kitsap County – anyone?

The percentages of reported improvement are dramatic… such as 55% improvement in the “sit and stand test * 62% patients reported less need for steroid use * 33% improvement in daily physical functioning, such as dressing and walking. * 40% improvement in the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales is significant.

The study patients worked out three times a week for 50 -60 minutes of aerobic and strengthening exercises for three months.

I have many questions to ask at the annual Arthritis Foundation Conference next month – free to the public.

The Free Public Symposium, “Taking control of Arthritis Together” is Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 08:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA.

The program includes a free osteoporosis screening by the Washington Osteoporosis Coalition and includes such notables as:

Basia Belza, PhD. RN – Aljova Endowed Professor in Aging University of Washington School of Nursing.
Julie L Carkin, MD – The Seattle Arthritis Clinic Director, Osteoporosis Services Northwest Hospital
Larry Wienkers, PharmD
Sue Romanick, MD – Rheumatologist, Private Practice
Jane Hoyt Buckner, MD – Associate Member Director, Translational Research Benaroya Research Institute
Diane Sowinski – Patient Advocate, Personal Trainer & Arthritis Veteran
Angelika Burns – Personal Trainer, Will Tree Fitness Wellness Coordinator, Bayview Wellness Center

If anyone is interested in carpooling or needs a ride, let me know.

Pre-Registration is required.
Contact Annie Rehn at (800) 746-1821 ext. 101 or arehn@arthritis.org
Have a great week – more later.– keep moving.… Sharon