Do functionality, strength, vascularization, inflammatory and biopsychosocial status improve by biopsychosocial model-based exercise in SSc?
Articles > Article · 2025
Authors: Orkun Tüfekçi, EDİBE ÜNAL, BATUHAN ERHAN AKTAŞ, Aziz Anıl TAN, İREM HARTUÇ, ERDEM KARABULUT, ASLI PINAR, FEZA KORKUSUZ, MEHMET RUHİ ONUR, SEDAT KİRAZ, ALİ AKDOĞAN
RHEUMATOLOGY, Journal Indexed in SCI Expanded, International, WoS, 2025, vol 64, pp 1-1
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae365
Summary
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigation of the effects of the Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach [Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı (BETY)], a supervised biopsychosocial model-based exercise intervention, on functionality, muscle strength, vascularization, anti-inflammatory and biopsychosocial status in SSc patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven SSc patients were included. Twenty of them were recruited into the study group (SG) undergoing BETY group exercise sessions three times a week for 3 months and seventeen were in the control group (CG) following a home exercise program. Assessment tools were the Modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), Scleroderma HAQ (SHAQ), Modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (mHAMIS), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), Six-Min Walk Test (6-MWT), skeletal muscle strength measurements using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3 Pro), Shear Wave Elastography, ELISA kits (for tumour necrosis factor-alpha, Interleukin-6, IL-10, serum irisin level), BETY-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: The SG demonstrated improvements in SHAQ, mHAMIS, 6-MWT, BETY-BQ, HADS and SF-36 values, excluding the DHI scores (P < 0.05). In contrast, CG showed worsening in SHAQ-general scleroderma symptoms and HADS scores compared with SG (P < 0.05). IL-10 and TNF-alpha increased in both groups, also various vascular parameters were significantly different changed in SG than CG (P < 0.05). Muscle strength values improved in the SG but decreased in the CG, however, this was statistically not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: BETY can be recommended as a non-pharmacological approach to the disease management of SSc patients.