‘Physical therapy is a mainstay of managing rheumatic diseases, but what’s the evidence, how do we monitor, and what types of therapy should we advocate?’ asks Physician Editor Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, FAAAAI, RhMSUS. ‘Here, we provide some practical recommendations for the everyday rheumatologist.’ Physical activity, including occupational and recreational activities, is one of…
Research has demonstrated that exercise-based physical therapy is as effective at maintaining knee function as surgery in patients with degenerative meniscal tears at risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—In patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), telehealth-delivered exercise and diet programs are superior to electronic health information for reducing pain and improving function, although the contribution of diet is modest, a randomized trial shows.1 “This research provides evidence from a large clinical trial to help tease out how much benefit dietary weight…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Research has shown time and again the benefits and low risk of physical activity for people with rheumatic diseases, but only a third or less of patients meet guidelines for this activity, Patricia Katz, PhD, professor of medicine and health policy at the University of California, San Francisco, said in the ARP Distinguished…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Attention to bone health in people at risk of developing, or who already have, osteoporosis is essential to reduce their increased risk for fragility fractures. Major risk factors for osteoporosis include being female, white, of small frame and having a family history of osteoporosis, as well as having secondary causes of osteoporosis, such…
A recent study found SLE patients may improve their daily physical function, pain and overall quality of life by adding upper limb exercises to stable treatment regimens and routine care…
Two experts weigh in on whether & how axial spondyloarthritis patients should exercise…
Guideline authors discussed therapeutic options for patients with hand, knee and hip OA in a session at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting.
Pain can deter patients with rheumatic disease from engaging in physical activity. But the latest research shows exercise helps reduce pain, & other influences may also affect patients’ activity levels, particularly after surgery…
A meta-analysis confirms prior research suggesting exercise therapy benefits patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). The study found greater improvements in pain, function, performance and quality of life in patients with milder, as opposed to more severe, OA…