EFFECTS OF A 12-WEEK PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM ON PAIN INTENSITY AND JOINT MOBILITY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
EFFECTS OF A 12-WEEK PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM ON PAIN INTENSITY AND JOINT MOBILITY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Summary/Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovitis, accompanied by joint pain, morning stiffness, and persistent inflammation. This results in a progressive limitation of musculoskeletal functionality. The aim of this study wos to evaluate the impact of 12-week kinesiotherapy program on the intensity of pain and range of motion (ROM) of the joint, as well as on other functional parameters, in patients diagnosed. The study included 30 patients (25 female, 5 male; mean age 57.3± 9.4 years) who underwent a therapeutic exercise protocol administered with a frequency of three (3) sessions per week. The protocol mainly involved active ROM exercise, isometric strengthening, and postural correction components. The parameters evaluated before and after the intervention were: pain intensity assessment (Visual Analog Scale – VAS), functional disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire – Disability Index – HAQ-DI), upper extremity limitation (Disabilities of the Arm, Sholder and Hand Scale – DASH), quality of life (Short Form 36 – SF-36), morning stiffnes, muscle strength, and range of motion (ROM). Statistical analysis showed significant improvement in all parametres after the end of the program. VAS was reduced from 5.7 ± 1.8 to 1.9±1.1 (p<0.05), morning stiffness was reduced from 58.3±25.1 to 26.6±15.3 minutes(p<0.05), HAQ-DI fell from 1.7±0.6 to 0.9±0.5, while SF-36 increased from 44.9 ± 11.2 to 61.3 ± 10.8. Muscle strength increased from 3.28 ± 0.7 to 3.97 ± 0.6 and ROM from 39.5 ± 12.4 to 47.9 ± 14.1. These findings indicate that kinesiotherapy plays an essential role in the multidisciplinary management of rheumatoid arthritis. The program resulted in a statistically and clinically significant reduction in pain and dysfunction, contributing to the improvement of articulare ROM and the quality of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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