Efficacy of rehabilitation for patients with ankylosing spondylitis: comparison of a four-week rehabilitation programme in a Mediterranean and a Norwegian setting.

Authors

  • Yndis Staalesen Strumse
  • Bjørn-Yngvar Nordvåg
  • Johan Kvalvik Stanghelle
  • Mona Røisland
  • Anne Winther
  • Pär-Arne Pajunen
  • Torhild Garen
  • Berit Flatø

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0804

Keywords:

ankylosing spondylitis, climate, rehabilitation, physical therapy modalities, treatment outcome, randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sustained effect of a rehabilitation programme for patients with ankylosing spondylitis, and to compare the effect of this intervention given in a Mediterranean vs a Norwegian setting. METHODS: A total of 107 patients with ankylosing spondylitis applying for rehabilitation were randomized to a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation programme in a Mediterranean country or in Norway. The participants were evaluated clinically before and after the rehabilitation period (week 0 and 4) and in week 16. The ASsessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis working group's Improvement Criteria (ASAS-IC), and tests of spinal mobility and physical capacity were used to measure treatment response. RESULTS: An ASAS20 improvement was still present at week 16 in 50% of the patients treated in a Mediterranean and 23% in a Norwegian centre (p = 0.006). The tests of spinal mobility, physical capacity, and almost all patient's assessments of health status (ASAS-IC components) were still improved at week 16 after therapy in both climatic settings. While the improvements in physical capacity were comparable, the spinal mobility and ASAS-IC components improved more, and improvements were sustained longer, after rehabilitation in a Mediterranean setting. CONCLUSION: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis benefit from a 4-week rehabilitation programme in Norway, but even more so from a similar programme in a Mediterranean setting.

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Published

2011-03-24

How to Cite

Staalesen Strumse, Y., Nordvåg, B.-Y., Stanghelle, J. K., Røisland, M., Winther, A., Pajunen, P.-A., Garen, T., & Flatø, B. (2011). Efficacy of rehabilitation for patients with ankylosing spondylitis: comparison of a four-week rehabilitation programme in a Mediterranean and a Norwegian setting. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 43(6), 534–542. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0804

Issue

Section

Original Report