Does exercise affect the antioxidant system in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the effect of regular supervised exercise program on functional status, disease activity, and total antioxidant status (TAS) level in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Thirty-two patients (mean age: 44 years) with AS were included in the study and divided into two groups. Group 1, the exercise group (n = 16), attended a supervised exercise program that consisted of aerobic, strengthening, and stretching exercises for 1 h a day, five times a week for 3 weeks. Group 2, the control group, received a home exercise program (n:16). Bath AS Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) were calculated and serum TAS levels were measured for each patient at 0 and 3 weeks. There was no significant difference in patients' baseline characteristics (age, disease duration, BASFI, and BASDAI scores) between exercise and control groups. In the exercise group, there were significant improvements between pre-exercise and post-exercise assessments in BASFI (2.8 +/- 1,8; 1.7 +/- 1,40, p = 0.004) and BASDAI scores (2.1 +/- 1.7; 1.2 +/- 1.3, p = 0.01). Mean TAS levels were significantly decreased after supervised exercise program (1.48 +/- 0.16 mmol/L; 1.36 +/- 0.20 mmol/L, p = 0.03). In the control group, BASFI score (2.4 +/- 1.7; 2.9 +/- 2.1, p = 0.19), BASDAI score (2.6 +/- 2.2; 3.1 +/- 2.6, p = 0.33), and mean TAS levels (1.38 +/- 0.23 mmol/L; 1.39 +/- 0.20 mmol/L, p = 0.66) did not differ significantly between 0 and 3 weeks. Short-term, supervised exercise program improved functional status and decreased disease activity. However, the mechanism of this beneficial clinical effect does not seem to be through antioxidant activity.

Aerobic exercise for axial spondyloarthritis ‐ its effects on disease activity and function as compared to standard physiotherapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Out of the 520 abstracts, 25 abstracts were analyzed and 8 studies met the selection criteria. Among these 8 studies, 6 were finally included in this work; the 2 other studies were excluded because of the lack of a control group . Inter‐reviewer reliability was good for abstract selection ( κ : 0.66, 95% CI: 0.57‐0.74) (Figure ).…”

“…The 6 studies were performed with walking or running exercises and two studies included swimming exercises . Exercises were supervised in 5 studies . The control group performed physiotherapy (conventional exercise in all studies).…”

“…The control group performed physiotherapy (conventional exercise in all studies). The studies were performed during 12 weeks in 4 studies and during 6 weeks or 3 weeks for the others (Table ).…”

“…This type of intervention therefore could not be a way to better control disease activity. For example, in the selected studies, there were improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and in the antioxidant system . These data are important because cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in spondyloarthritis .…”

Psychological Co-Morbidities and Physical Therapy in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

“…It is responsible for reduced capacity for work 19,20 and substantial direct and indirect costs for the patient and the health care system 21 . Earlier research studies done emphasis the constructive effects of exercises on the different parameters of health for AS patients with respect to physical function, disease activity, spinal mobility, chest expansion, global well-being, quality of life and fatigue [22][23][24][25] . As demonstrated in Tables 1 & 2, both the ASQoL and HADS show improved responses after 4 weeks of physical therapy treatment.…”