Exercise and Body Composition in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (Joint Fitness)

Johns Hopkins University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Arthritis, Juvenile

Treatments: Other: Dual-Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan; Other: Ren-Ex Machine; Other: Sub-maximal test; Other: Quality of life questionnaires; Other: Biodex dynamometer

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02479373

NA00071505

5R21AR062269-02 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research is being done to see if resistance exercise (RE) is safe and has a positive effect on children and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

JIA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can cause severe impairment and disability. JIA can cause bone loss and decreased muscle strength. The medications used to treat JIA can also have negative effects on growth and development, strength, and ability to function. RE is performing movements in a slow and controlled fashion (i.e., no speeding up or using force in the lifting and lowering of the weight) to lessen force on the joints and tissues. This study will be using Ren-Ex exercise equipment to perform RE.

Currently the American College of Rheumatology recommends exercise for patients with arthritis. This exercise includes range of motion exercise to protect joint mobility as well as low resistance and aerobic exercise (AE) to protect muscle mass, bone health, and fitness. However, a recent study showed no major differences in functionality or quality of life between patients who performed AE and those who did not perform AE. There is a need for more data on the impact of RE on children with JIA. Children and young adults aged 10 to 21 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis may join.

Enrollment: 33 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 10 to 21 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• American College of Rheumatology criteria for polyarticular JIA
• Stable medical therapy

Exclusion criteria

• Non-English speaking
• Pregnancy
• Currently breast feeding
• Cognitive impairment as determined by PI (patient is not responsible for making their own health care decisions)

Trial design

33 participants in 2 patient groups

Resistance Exercise (RE)

Experimental group

Description:

Those assigned to RE will complete baseline and post-testing assessments and participate in 12 weeks of individually-supervised resistance exercise, which will take place in the exercise facility on the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Campus. Exercises will be performed on Ren-Ex Machines. This equipment is suitable for the proposed study because it provides ultra-low friction movement which creates a personalized resistance profile, which minimizes force on joints and thereby reduces the risk of joint trauma and injury.

Treatment:

Other: Biodex dynamometer

Other: Dual-Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan

Other: Sub-maximal test

Other: Ren-Ex Machine

Other: Quality of life questionnaires

Control Group (CG)

Other group

Description:

Those assigned to the CG will complete baseline and post-testing assessments and will also be given JIA educational materials, including physical activity and exercise recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness (COSMF).

Treatment:

Other: Biodex dynamometer

Other: Dual-Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan

Other: Sub-maximal test

Other: Quality of life questionnaires