EXERCISE BENEFITS PATIENTS WITH AS

Just-published research reveals that patients with Ankylosing
Spondylitis (AS) may benefit from regular exercise. As part of the
experiment, 220 patients with AS were tracked for 4.5 years. Every six
months throughout the study period, patients completed questionnaires
detailing their health status and exercise regimes. Patients also
completed visual analog scales for pain and stiffness, as well as the
Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index.

In general, exercise had no short-term impact on pain or disability.
However, among long-term AS sufferers who had had the disorder for at
least 15 years, performing back exercises or recreational activities at
least 30 minutes a day, five days a week alleviated symptoms.

Archives of Internal Medicine October 23, 2000;160:2969-75.
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/

for more, visit www.craiganderson.net