Effects of exercise therapy on knee joint proprioception, pain, physical function and quality of life in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of exercise training on knee joint proprioception, isokinetic strength, pain, functionality, performance, fear of falling, activities of daily living, biopsychosocial status and quality of life in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 19 female individuals with RA (10=Education, 9=Control) participated. Evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the exercise program. The education group (EG) received BETY (Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı-BETY-Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach) with telerehabilitation for 12 weeks. No intervention was made to the control group (CG). Proprioception and isokinetic strength measurements were performed with a Biodex Dynamometer. McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 10-Step Stair Test, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, 6 min. Walk Test, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), BETY Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY_BQ), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) were used for evaluations. Right (p=0.003) and left (p=0.033) knee proprioceptive error of EG at 60˚ was less than the control group. After treatment, proprioceptive error value; In CG, right knee at 60˚ (p=0.035), in EG, right knee at 30˚ and 60˚ decreased compared to CG (p=0.028 and p=0.024, respectively). Peak torque values increased in EG compared to CG (p<0.05), and decreased in CG (p<0.05). Significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in EG's BMI, 6 min. walking distance, TUG, staircase test, WOMAC, BETY and WHOQOL scores. It was concluded that BETY improves quality of life with its psychological and socialization effects as well as functional effects in RA management. Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, knee joint, exercise therapy, proprioception, biopsychosocial model.