Effects of a Supervised Exercise Program and a Home Exercise Program in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Overview

Scleroderma, also called systemic sclerosis (SSc); It is a heterogeneous multiorgan disease of unknown etiology characterized by vasculopathy, autoimmunity and fibrous tissue. It is stated in studies that cardiac and pulmonary systems are affected in patients with SSc and these effects affect the aerobic capacity, physical functions and quality of life of patients negatively by disrupting their pulmonary and musculoskeletal functions. However, considering the treatment approaches in scleroderma patients, the number of studies evaluating the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation and exercises is limited. Therefore, the purpose of our study; Comparison of the effects of a supervised exercise program and a home exercise program in patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

Cases are divided into two groups as supervised exercise and home exercise program by closed envelope randomization method. All patients are informed about risk factors and risk factor management. All patients are trained 3 days in the first week under the supervision of a physiotherapist to learn individual exercise programs. Supervised exercise programs including warm-up, loading, cooling, and relaxation exercises are shown. The warm-up period is consist of light-paced walking, active movements of several large muscle groups. During the loading period respiratory control training, breathing exercises (Shrunken lip breathing exhaustion, diaphragmatic, thoracic expansion exercises), posture exercises with respiratory control (pectoral stretching, four-way trunk exercises, head-neck exercises, bilateral shoulder flexion and abduction exercises, sitting on a chair, standing up exercise. ), walking on the treadmill for 5-15 minutes without inclination and at a constant speed, starting with 3 minutes without load, continuing with a load of 20 watts and 3 minutes, and reaching a submaximal load with 3 watt increments every 10 seconds, pedaling in the bicycle ergometer is taken. Stretching exercises are done during the cooling period. This group was included in an exercise program 2 days a week, 45-90 minutes, for 12 weeks, accompanied by a specialist physiotherapist in the pulmonary rehabilitation unit in the chest diseases ward. The same exercises (respiratory control training, shrunken lip breathing exhaustion, diaphragmatic, thoracic expansion exercises, posture exercises with respiratory control (pectoral stretching, four-way trunk exercises, head and neck exercises, bilateral shoulder flexion and abduction exercises), sitting and standing exhaustion, and brisk walking to reach 60-85% of the person's maximum heart rate.)) were taught to the home exercise group and given in the form of a brochure and they were asked to do these exercises at home 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Participants of the home exercise group are contacted every two weeks via communication methods such as e-mail, message and telephone conversation. Exercise diary is given to all patients and is taken from them at the end of the study