Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is strong evidence that physical activity is an effective way to reduce fatigue.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise (walking) to reduce fatigue in RA patients in the health resort setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 102 female patients with RA (age 54.38±11.3 years, body mass index 20—29 kg/m², DAS28-ESR ≤3.2, with severe fatigue of VAS ≥50) who received 21 days of health resort treatment. The health-improving and therapeutic complex includes dosed physical activity, aerobic exercises (walking). Visual analog scale (VAS0—100) and Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Scale-Numerical Rating Scale (BRAF-NRS V2) were used to assess fatigue, and the 50-meter walking test was used to evaluate the functional status of patients.

RESULTS

A correlation between walking duration and the number of steps at a distance of 50 m (p<0.001) as well as between these indices and fatigue (p<0.001) was shown. A positive effect of a standard three-week medical rehabilitation program for patients with RA on fatigue NRS severity (p=0.003) and NRS effect (p=0.037), as well as on patients’ functional status (reduced time spent on the 50-meter test, p=0.01) was demonstrated. When comparing groups of RA patients with low (group 1, <5000—6000 steps per day) and optimal (group 2, ≥7000—8000 steps per day) aerobic exercise, positive results were noted in the short term (at 3 weeks) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aerobic exercise is a promising intervention for treating fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Medical rehabilitation in a resort setting is the best starting point to encourage performing regular physical activity, as well as the best way to develop exercise programs tailored to rheumatoid arthritis patients.