Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a land-based home exercise programme on
pain, functional ability and quality of life in patients with juvenile idiopathic
arthritis. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, single-blind study. PATIENTS: Eighty-one patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis participated in this
study. METHODS: Functional ability, pain, and quality of life were assessed with
a 6-minute walk test, Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analogue
scale, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The patients were randomly
assigned to an exercise or control group. The exercise group (n = 43) completed a
12-week individually planned land-based home exercise programme once a week at
the hospital for 4 days per week. The control group (n = 38) was placed on the
waiting list until the end of the study. RESULTS: Statistically significant
improvements (p < 0.001) were found in all the outcome measures in the exercise
group. The visual analogue scale score decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the
control group after 12 weeks. Other than the visual analogue scale score (P >
0.05), the changes in the other outcome measures (P < 0.001) were significant in
favour of the exercise group. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that
participating in a 12-week individually planned land-based home exercise
programme may result in improved physical function and quality of life in
patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Langue : ANGLAIS