Moderate-to-high intensity exercise with person-centered guidance influences fatigue in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis
Journal article, 2019

Fatigue is described as a dominant and disturbing symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regardless of the advances in pharmacological treatment. Fatigue is also found to correlate with depression. The objective was to evaluate the impact of moderate-to-high intensity, aerobic and resistance exercise with person-centered guidance on fatigue, anxiety and depression, in older adults with RA. Comparisons were made between older adults (> 65 years) with RA taking part in a 20-week moderate-to-high intensity exercise at a gym (n = 36) or in home-based exercise of light intensity (n = 38). Assessments were performed at baseline, at 20 weeks, and at 52 weeks. Outcomes were differences in Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Visual Analog Scale Fatigue (VAS fatigue), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Analysis of metabolomics was also performed. The subscales “physical fatigue” and “mental fatigue” in MFI-20 and symptoms of depression using HADS depression scale improved significantly at week 20 in the exercise group compared with the control group. Exercise did not influence global fatigue rated by VAS or subscales “reduced motivation”, “reduced activity” and “general fatigue” in MFI-20. No significant change was found on the anxiety index of HADS. The improvements in physical fatigue were associated with changes in the metabolism of lipids, bile acids, the urea cycle and several sugars. Moderate-to-high intensity exercise with person-centered guidance decreased fatigue and improved symptoms of depression and were accompanied by metabolic changes in older adults with RA.

Anxiety

Fatigue

Patient-centered

Depression

Metabolomics

Arthritis

Rheumatoid

Exercise

Author

Daniel Kucharski

University of Gothenburg

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Elvira Lange

University of Gothenburg

Alastair Ross

AgResearch Lincoln

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Sara Svedlund

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

University of Gothenburg

Caroline Feldthusen

University of Gothenburg

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Karin Önnheim

University of Gothenburg

Kaisa Mannerkorpi

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

University of Gothenburg

Inger Gjertsson

University of Gothenburg

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Rheumatology International

0172-8172 (ISSN) 1437-160X (eISSN)

Vol. 39 9 1585-1594

Subject Categories

Geriatrics

Physiotherapy

Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences

DOI

10.1007/s00296-019-04384-8

More information

Latest update

11/22/2019