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
