Exercise Training and Knee Joint Proprioception in Rheumatoid Arthritis

NCT ID: NCT06887725

Last Updated: 2025-03-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 19 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-01-02
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-24

Brief Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disorder that affects 0.5% to 1% of adults and is the result of an autoimmune attack against joint tissues. In recent years, advances in anti-rheumatoid drugs and treatment strategies have improved the health status of patients with RA. However, many patients do not achieve disease remission and experience progressive functional impairment. According to 2003 data from the National Health Interview Survey in the United States, by 2030, approximately 25% of adults aged 18 years and older are expected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and 9.3% of adults are expected to have arthritis-related activity limitations.

In order for patients with RA to perform activities of daily living, it is very important for them to maintain their balance, i.e., their sense of proprioception. It is known that knee proprioception is decreased in RA. In addition, the presence of pain, decreased muscle strength, and functionality in patients with RA lead many of them to adopt a sedentary lifestyle.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise training on knee joint proprioception in individuals with RA. In addition, it also aims to examine how exercise training improves pain, functionality, performance, fear of falling, biopsychosocial status, and quality of life. The importance of this research is that it provides more scientific data for improving knee joint proprioception in individuals with RA and guides clinical practice. It is also expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of life of patients by demonstrating not only the physical but also the psychological and functional effects of exercise training.

Conditions

Rheumatic Arthritis

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Training Group

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

The Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı-BETY) is an innovative exercise approach developed based on the biopsychosocial model. The parameters that form the basis of BETY are function-oriented core stabilization exercises, information management in pain, information management in mood, and information management in sexuality. BETY was shaped by the feedback of individuals with rheumatism who participated in regular exercise sessions for years and was introduced to the literature as a treatment method aiming to create changes in the cognitive structures of patients through exercise.

Kontrol Group

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Exercise

The Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı-BETY) is an innovative exercise approach developed based on the biopsychosocial model. The parameters that form the basis of BETY are function-oriented core stabilization exercises, information management in pain, information management in mood, and information management in sexuality. BETY was shaped by the feedback of individuals with rheumatism who participated in regular exercise sessions for years and was introduced to the literature as a treatment method aiming to create changes in the cognitive structures of patients through exercise.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Being diagnosed with RA
• Being able to walk
• Being between the ages of 40-65.
• Accepting to participate in the study and approving the informed consent form.
• Being literate and able to use technological devices.

Exclusion Criteria

• Having acute inflammatory pathology in the knee joint.
• Knee arthroplasty surgery.
• Intra-articular or systemic corticosteroid use in the last 3 months.
• Having participated in an FTR program in the last 3 months.
• Advanced musculoskeletal, cardiac or peripheral vascular disease.
• Significant system or organ failure.
• Having a disease that will affect cognitive functions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia

• Minimum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Hacettepe University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Hasan Kalyoncu University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Aysima Barlak

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Aysima Barlak

PT

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Hacettepe University

Ankara, Altındağ, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

Akgoz A, Yakut Y, Tufekci O, Aktas BE, Sari EO, Barlak A, Bayramlar K, Apras Bilgen S, Korkusuz F, Unal E. Biopsychosocial model-based exercise improves muscle strength, proprioception, pain, function, and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee involvement: a randomized controlled clinical tiral. Rheumatol Int. 2025 Sep 6;45(9):221. doi: 10.1007/s00296-025-05976-3. No abstract available.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 40913677 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

2022/140

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id