People with rheumatic disease often have decreased strength, muscle mass, and bone mineral density due to repeated bouts of inflammation, normal effects of aging, disuse, and inactivity. The medications used to quell the disease process, such as prednisone, can also have detrimental effects on body composition, strength, and functional capacity. The investigators propose to investigate the feasibility, safety, and effects of resistance exercise in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and vasculitis. The unique resistance protocol the investigators propose involves performing movements in a slow and controlled fashion (i.e., no acceleration or use of momentum in the lifting and lowering of the resistance) to minimize force on the joints and connective tissues. This will be conducted in an individually-supervised environment with a new generation of exercise equipment that will accommodate their musculoskeletal capabilities and allow for reproducibility of the exercise protocol. The investigators intend to investigate the feasibility, safety, musculoskeletal, and psychological effects of this resistance exercise protocol in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis by testing their strength, body composition, functional ability, mood, and quality of life before and after this 16-week resistance exercise intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
15
Two 30-minute individually supervised exercise sessions per week for 16-weeks
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Number of participants with rheumatoid arthritis flares during the study
Participants will be provided with questionnaires. They will be asked to report the number of arthritis flares since the last visit. Arthritis flares consist of pain and swelling of the joints. The total number of flares during the 16 week study will be reported.
Time frame: up to 16 weeks
Number of participants with reported physical injuries during the study
Participants will be provided with questionnaires. They will be asked to report the number of injuries associated with the last visit (e.g. strains, sprains, and pulled muscles). The total number of injuries during the 16 week study will be reported.
Time frame: up to 16 weeks
Change in Body composition after 16 weeks of resistance exercise
To assess change in body composition associated with this resistance exercise protocol (after 16 weeks).
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change in Strength after 16 weeks of resistance exercise
We will test if strength increases before and after the exercise intervention
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change in Functional status after 16 weeks of resistance exercise
We will determine if functional status, as measured by the short physical performance battery, improves after 16 weeks
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change in inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL6) after 16 weeks of resistance exercise
Participants will have blood drawn before and after 16 weeks of exercise to determine if changes have occurred in their inflammatory cytokine.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change in inflammatory cytokine C-reactive protein (CRP) after 16 weeks of resistance exercise
Participants will have blood drawn before and after 16 weeks of exercise to determine if changes have occurred in their inflammatory cytokine.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Change in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) after 16 weeks of resistance exercise
Participants will have blood drawn before and after 16 weeks of exercise to determine if changes have occurred in their ESR
Time frame: 16 weeks
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