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Exercise for Rheumatoid Arthritis

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Nicholas Giacomantonio, MD
Research Sponsored by Nova Scotia Health Authority
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Only those patients that 1) have RA fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria, 2) have two or more swollen joints, 3) are receiving stable pharmacotherapy (defined as greater than 3 months of unchanged antirheumatic drugs and greater than 1 month of unchanged nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), 4) have moderate risk of CVD as identified by the Framingham risk score, 5) are able to walk on treadmill or cycle on a stationary bike for 15 minutes and 6) are able to attend the Community Cardiovascular Hearts in Motion program (held in the Halifax Regional Municipality).
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up final measure week-13
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects approximately 1% of all Canadians. RA is associated with a higher rate of disease and death as well as a decreased life expectancy. Changes in death rates and life expectancy are mainly the result of an increased frequency of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increase in CVD frequency is primarily attributable to accelerated atherosclerosis. It is believed that elevated levels of inflammation, which are characteristic of RA, play a key role in accelerated rate of CVD in RA patients. Thus, inflammation is considered a primary risk factor for CVD in RA patients. Interestingly, despite a better understanding of the relationship between RA and CVD and improved treatment for RA patients the death rate in RA population continues to increase. Thus, there is an immediate need to develop treatment strategies to reduce the risk of CVD associated with inflammation in the RA population. Exercise is commonly used to reduce the risk of CVD. Preventative exercise programs are often offered as part of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. These programs help patients modify CVD risk factors, improve physical capacity and decrease CVD risk. Studies also suggest that CR programs decrease levels of inflammation. Since RA patients have an elevated risk for CVD, which is primarily attributed to increased levels of inflammation, they are prime candidates for CR programs. However, RA patients are very rarely referred to CR programs. Thus, there is a lack of information regarding the effects of CR on RA patients. Thus studies are needed to determine whether CR modifies levels of inflammation and decreases CVD risk in RA patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a 12-week standardized cardiac rehabilitation exercise program on systemic inflammation and CVD risk in individuals with RA. Specifically, this study will characterize the effects of a community based CR exercise program on systemic markers of inflammation (proinflammatory cytokines) and global CVD risk (Framingham risk profile) as well as the therapeutic effects of CR exercise on the severity of RA. This study will help to clarify the mechanism(s) by which exercise impacts CVD risk in patients with inflammatory disease. In addition, the study will show how CR may benefit patients with inflammatory disease with respect to their ability to exercise, global risk for cardiovascular disease and quality of life.

Eligible Conditions
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~final measure week-13
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and final measure week-13 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Framingham risk score
Levels of systemic inflammation
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Secondary outcome measures
Aerobic fitness
Alcohol consumption
Functional ability
+7 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: ExerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Subjects enrolled in the exercise arm will receive the study intervention.
Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention
Subjects in the control arm will receive standard of care (e.g. medication and medical supervision) for rheumatoid arthritis. These subjects will not participate in the exercise intervention.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Exercise
2016
Completed Phase 1
~760

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Nova Scotia Health AuthorityLead Sponsor
254 Previous Clinical Trials
83,125 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Rheumatoid Arthritis
41 Patients Enrolled for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scott A Grandy, PhDStudy DirectorDalhousie University
Nicholas Giacomantonio, MDPrincipal InvestigatorNova Scotia Health Authority

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
~1 spots leftby Mar 2025