In 2011, Sancho, et. al., conducted study about Rheumatic diseases which can be a source of chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced quality of life for individuals affected by them. Many patients seek alternative treatments to alleviate their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. One such approach is physical therapy, which aims to enhance joint mobility, manage pain, and enhance the quality of life in rheumatic patients. In this article, we explore the findings of a study that investigated the influence of a specific physical therapy treatment on morning stiffness, pain levels, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in rheumatic patients.

This research was conducted as an experimental, prospective, longitudinal, and intervention study. It included 29 individuals, with an average age of 54.16 years, who were part of the Salmantina Association of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group (GT) and the control group (GC). The study assessed various factors, including the duration of morning stiffness, pain levels using the Downie Scale, and HRQL using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the Health Questionnaire SF-36 (SF-36). The intervention consisted of individualized treatments, primarily involving manual physiotherapy techniques, administered once or twice a week over a six-month period.

At the outset, participants in both groups reported experiencing morning stiffness and pain. Morning stiffness had an average duration of 21.38 minutes, with GC reporting 20.38 minutes and GT reporting 22.19 minutes. Over the study period, GC experienced an increase in the duration of morning stiffness (26.82 minutes), while GT demonstrated a decrease (12.5 minutes). Similarly, pain levels were initially recorded at a mean of 3.6 points, with GC at 2.85 points and GT at 4.22 points. However, GT showed a reduction in pain levels (3.68 points), whereas GC experienced an increase (3.45 points). Notably, the GT exhibited an improvement in HRQL, as evidenced by decreased scores on four dimensions of NHP (pain, sleep, physical mobility, and emotional reactions) and increased scores on SF-36 (physical problems, social function, pain, and physical function). Although these improvements are clinically significant, they did not reach statistical significance.

In this study, the effectiveness of physiotherapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis was inconclusive based on statistical analysis. However, the results indicate a promising trend, with reductions in morning stiffness and pain levels and an enhancement in HRQL observed in the treatment group. These findings suggest that physiotherapy may hold potential as an adjunct therapy for rheumatic patients, offering them relief from debilitating symptoms and an improved overall quality of life. Further research with a larger sample size is warranted to draw definitive conclusions about the role of physiotherapy in managing rheumatic conditions.

Reference: Sancho, E. P. D. D., & Martín-Nogueras, A. M. (2011). Influence of the physical therapy on the health and quality of life of the rheumatic patient. Reumatología Clínica (English Edition), 7(4), 224-229.