Effects of Home-and-Workplace Combined Exercise for Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of home-and-workplace combined exercise on physical function, depression, and work-related disability in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

METHODS

This study adopted a non-randomized quasi-experimental design. Fifty-two patients were recruited: home-and-workplace combined exercise (n = 17), home exercise (n = 18), and control group (n = 17).

RESULTS

The home-and-workplace combined exercise group showed improvement in spinal mobility and pulmonary function and significantly lower absenteeism and overwork impact than the home-exercise group and control group. The home-and-workplace combined exercise and home exercise groups showed a higher level of activity improvement than the control group.

CONCLUSION

home-and-workplace combined exercise can be recommended to patients with ankylosing spondylitis to enhance their physical function, including spinal mobility and pulmonary function, and reduce work-related disability.