The truth revealed (Rheumatoind Arthritis and Aerobic Exercises)
RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that affectspatients’ joints, which give rise to lots of problems in the functional activities. In order to help in maintaining function and lead a quality life, these exercises were introduce to selected RA patients who were referred for Physiotherapy Department, Selayang Hospital.
Based on principles of aerobic fitness program, modified aerobic exercises were introduced to these patients. Patients were taught non-weight bearing aerobic exercises and participated in class exercises once a week for 45-60 mins.
Patients were assessed for on Quality of life by SF36 US version 1.0 and Visual Analogue Pain Scale. Assessment with SF36 was done on the first visit and on the 12th week of undergoing the aerobic programme and VAS on weekly assessment.
On the whole, patients who have attended the program shows that their quality of life have improved by 80 – 90 % and they are able to carry on with their activity at their optimum level. One patients feels that the exercises do help her in her activity but claimed that with exercises her condition have not detoriated as compared before the aerobic programme.
(Daud, N. and Shunmugam, M. Physiotherapy Department, Selayang Hospital Malaysia)