Assessment of the effectiveness of group exercise program in children diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a group exercise program on physical capacity, quality of life, pain, and disease activity in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and Methods: 30 patients under the age of 18 diagnosed with childhood-onset SLE were evaluated. Among them 4 patients were excluded. The remaining 26 patients were assigned to supervised or home-based exercise groups based on voluntary participation. 5 patients from the home-based exercise group and 1 from the supervised group did not complete the study. Data from 20 patients (10 per group) were analyzed. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Results: No significant sociodemographic differences between groups. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding mucocutaneous involvement and baseline SLEDAI scores. In the supervised group, significant improvements were found in 6-MWT, PedsQL physical health subscale, and total score. Activity-related pain (VAS score) decreased in this group. No significant correlations were found among improved parameters. The home exercise group showed no significant changes in any measures. Disease activity remained unchanged in both groups. No significant between-group differences were found in pre- and post-intervention changes. Conclusion: Supervised exercise improved physical capacity and quality of life without increasing disease activity in childhood-onset SLE. However, no significant difference was observed between supervised and home-based exercise groups. Larger-scale studies are needed to better define the effects of exercise in this population. Keywords: 6 minute walking test, Exercise, Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Quality of Life