Person-centered aerobic and resistance exercise improved physical fitness in terms of aerobic capacity, endurance and strength in older adults with RA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objective Exercise can improve immune health and is beneficial for physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the immunological mechanisms are largely unknown. We evaluated the effect of moderate- to high intensity exercise with person-centred guidance on cells of the immune system, with focus on regulatory cell populations, in older adults with RA. Methods Older adults (≥65 years) with RA were randomized to either 20-weeks of moderate – to high intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (n = 24) or to an active control group performing home-based exercise of light intensity (n = 25). Aerobic capacity, muscle strength, DAS28 and CRP were evaluated. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 20 weeks. The frequency of immune cells defined as adaptive regulatory populations, CD4 + Foxp3 + CD25 + CD127- T regulatory cells (Tregs) and CD19 + CD24hiCD38hi B regulatory cells (Bregs) as well as HLA-DR−/lowCD33 + CD11b + myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), were assessed using flow cytometry. Results After 20 weeks of moderate- to high intensity exercise, aerobic capacity and muscle strength were significantly improved but there were no significant changes in Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) or CRP. The frequency of Tregs and Bregs decreased significantly in the intervention group, but not in the active control group. The exercise intervention had no effect on MDSCs. The reduction in regulatory T cells in the intervention group was most pronounced in the female patients. Conclusion Moderate- to high intensity exercise in older adults with RA led to a decreased proportion of Tregs and Bregs, but that was not associated with increased disease activity or increased inflammation. Trial registration Improved Ability to Cope With Everyday Life Through a Person-centered Training Program in Elderly Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis - PEP-walk Study, NCT02397798. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov March 19, 2015.

Background Besides being health enhancing and disease preventing, exercise is also an important part of the management of chronic conditions, including the inflammatory joint disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, older adults with RA present a lower level of physical activity than healthy older adults. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore aspects of participation in moderate- to high-intensity exercise with person-centred guidance influencing the transition to independent exercise for older adults with RA. Methods A qualitative interview study was conducted. In-depth interviews with 16 adults with RA aged between 68 and 75 years, who had taken part in the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial performing moderate- to- high-intensity exercise with person-centred guidance, were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results The analysis resulted in six main categories: A feasible opportunity to adopt exercise, Experiencing positive effects of exercise, Contextual factors affect the experience of exercise, Developing knowledge and thinking, Finding one’s way, and Managing barriers for exercise. The exercise with person-centred guidance was described as a feasible opportunity to start exercising as a basis for the transition to independent exercise. They described developing knowledge and thinking about exercise during the intervention enabling them to manage the transition to independent exercise. Finding one’s own way for exercise became important for sustaining independent exercise. Lastly, barriers for exercise and strategies for overcoming these were described. Reduced physical health, both temporary and permanent, was described as a considerable barrier for exercise. Conclusion The participants described several aspects of participating in exercise that influenced and facilitated their transition to independent exercise. The exercise was experienced as manageable and positive, by a careful introduction and development of an individual exercise routine in partnership with a physiotherapist. This seems to have favored the development of self-efficacy, with importance for future independent exercise. Reduced physical health, both temporary and permanent, was described as a considerable barrier for exercise. The personal process of trying to make the exercise one’s own, and developing knowledge about exercise and new thoughts about oneself, seemed to prepare the participants for managing independent exercise and overcoming barriers.

Fatigue is described as a dominant and disturbing symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regardless of the advances in pharmacological treatment. Fatigue is also found to correlate with depression. The objective was to evaluate the impact of moderate-to-high intensity, aerobic and resistance exercise with person-centered guidance on fatigue, anxiety and depression, in older adults with RA. Comparisons were made between older adults (> 65 years) with RA taking part in a 20-week moderate-to-high intensity exercise at a gym (n = 36) or in home-based exercise of light intensity (n = 38). Assessments were performed at baseline, at 20 weeks, and at 52 weeks. Outcomes were differences in Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Visual Analog Scale Fatigue (VAS fatigue), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Analysis of metabolomics was also performed. The subscales "physical fatigue" and "mental fatigue" in MFI-20 and symptoms of depression using HADS depression scale improved significantly at week 20 in the exercise group compared with the control group. Exercise did not influence global fatigue rated by VAS or subscales "reduced motivation", "reduced activity" and "general fatigue" in MFI-20. No significant change was found on the anxiety index of HADS. The improvements in physical fatigue were associated with changes in the metabolism of lipids, bile acids, the urea cycle and several sugars. Moderateto-high intensity exercise with person-centered guidance decreased fatigue and improved symptoms of depression and were accompanied by metabolic changes in older adults with RA.

Objective: To compare the heart rate variability (HRV) before and after a sub-maximal exercise test in women with fibromyalgia (FM) and to compare the result to matched controls. Additionally, to compare heart rate (HR) before, during and after the sub-maximal exercise test.Methods: Twenty-four women with FM and 26 controls performed a sub-maximal exercise test. HRV was registered for 5 minutes at rest before and after the exercise test. HR was registered at baseline, during the exercise test and at recovery. Results:The HRV of the healthy group was statistically different from the exercise test but the women with FM showed no such difference. HR was significantly higher among the women with FM than in the healthy group at baseline and up to 75W but lower at peak (138/152 bpm, p<0.008). In women with FM HR during exercise (HR2) was predicted by heart rate recovery (HRR20) and physical exertion (RPE2). HRR20 and RPE2 accounted for 0.465 of the variance (p=0.006) in HR2. In healthy women HR2 correlated with HRR20 and negatively with physical activity (PhA). In the reference group HRR20 and PhA accounted for 0.448 (p=0.002) of the variance HR. Conclusion:The HRV in women with FM show less adjustment of the ANS while not being significantly affected by submaximal exercise as healthy women. In healthy women heart rate during the test was negatively related to PhA. In women with FM exertion seems to replace an effect from exercise on physiological adaptation. FM may entail imperceptible extraction of power from PhA while under load. Links to FM pain will be discussed.Women with FM seem to rate exertion "Very hard" on lower workload and HR than healthy women. The physiotherapeutic methodology for measuring HRV with basic HR monitors should be improved before it can be recommended for clinical use.