Objective:

To examine the overall effects of exercise on physical function and pain in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a novel approach to assess the conclusiveness of meta-analytic data.

Approach:

• Data Source: Data were derived from the 2022 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines, focusing on randomized trials comparing exercise to no exercise groups, with outcomes on pain and function from 19 studies.
• Data Abstraction: Dual independent data extraction was conducted for randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, resolving disagreements through discussion.
• Research Synthesis: A traditional meta-analysis was performed using the inverse variance heterogeneity model to assess treatment effects on physical function and pain.

Key Findings:

• Exercise (aerobic, aquatic, resistance, mind-body) improved physical function in adults with RA with moderate certainty, as reported in the 2022 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines.
• Exercise reduced pain levels in adults with RA with moderate certainty, as reported in the 2022 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines.
• The Doi–Abdulmajeed Trial Stability (DAts) index was used to assess the conclusiveness of the meta-analysis.

Interpretation:

The findings support the effectiveness of exercise in improving physical function and reducing pain in adults with RA, as indicated by the meta-analytic data.

Limitations:

• The study relied on previously published data, which may limit the ability to draw new conclusions.
• The focus was on studies included in the 2022 guidelines, potentially excluding relevant research.

Conclusion:

The study provides a quantitative assessment of the effects of exercise on functionality and pain in RA.

Sources:

• American College of Rheumatology Guidelines