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Dissertation
Effects of physical conditioning in children with chronic arthritis
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Dec 1996
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00008908
Abstract
Children with chronic arthritis are reported to have lower aerobic and muscular fitness than children without arthritis, but treatment protocols do not include physical conditioning programs, and the effects of conditioning in children with arthritis are unknown. Research during the past 20 years reveals adults with arthritis, who participate in physical conditioning, experience improved aerobic capacity, muscle strength and endurance, function and self-esteem, and decreased articular symptoms. This within subjects, repeated measures study examined the effects of an 8 week physical conditioning program on disease signs and symptoms, physical fitness, and function in children with arthritis. The sample included 25 children with chronic arthritis, ages 8-17 years, from the Alfred I. duPont Institute in Wilmington, DE, St. Christopher's Hospital and the Children's Seashore House in Philadelphia, PA. Measurements, including joint counts (JC), a cumulative articular severity index (ASI) (joint swelling, pain on motion, tenderness, and limitation of motion), 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) for worst pain during the previous week, Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale (PH), Juvenile Arthritis Functional Assessment Report (JAFAR), physiological cost index, and the four components of the Health Related Physical Fitness Test (9 minute run-walk, 1-minute sit-up, sit and reach, and skinfold thickness), were taken at study entry, after an 8 week control (no exercise) period, and after 8 weeks of physical conditioning. The number of days absent from school during the control and exercise periods was recorded. The 60 minute conditioning program, included warm-up, low-impact aerobics, strengthening, cool-down and stretching. Subjects exercised twice a week at the hospital, and once a week at home, using a 60 minute commercial exercise videotape. Repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman ANOVA tests revealed significant differences in the ASI, JC, VAS, run-walk, sit and reach, and Piers-Harris scores. Post-hoc tests showed significant improvement in ASI, JC, run-walk, and sit and reach scores from the pre to post-exercise tests. VAS and Piers-Harris scores improved significantly from baseline to the pre-exercise tests, but the pre to post-exercise difference scores were not significant. No differences were found on the other measures, but there was a positive trend toward improvement in scores on the JAFAR. These results suggest children with arthritis can improve their aerobic endurance and flexibility through physical conditioning without disease exacerbation, and can achieve benefits of decreased articular signs and symptoms. Further study is needed to examine the impact of longer term conditioning programs on functional abilities and self-esteem.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of physical conditioning in children with chronic arthritis
- Creators
- Susan E. Klepper
- Contributors
- Susan K. Effgen (Advisor) - Drexel University, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998)
- Awarding Institution
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xvii, 329 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998); School of Health Professions (1996-1998); Physical Therapy
- Other Identifier
- 991021889013004721