Novel Exercise May Aid Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, July 8, 2025 -- A novel form of upper- and lower-body exercise, blood flow-restricted resistance training (BFR-RT), improves outcomes with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to research recently published in Disability and Rehabilitation.
Hunter Bennett, Ph.D., from the University of South Australia in Adelaide, and colleagues assessed the acceptability and impact of a progressive upper- and lower-body BFR-RT intervention. The analysis included a cross-sectional survey examining exercise preferences of 97 people with RA and a single-group trial of 12 participants.
The researchers found that people with RA preferred BFR-RT if it was supervised by an exercise professional, was no more than three sessions per week, and began with low-to-moderate intensity. The BFR-RT trial aligned with the survey results and had high acceptability, with 100 percent of participants liking the program and 81 percent adhering to the sessions. The trial showed significant improvements in strength, functional lower extremity-related physical performance, and perceived pain. There were no improvements in quality of life noted.
"This kind of training could be a game changer for people with rheumatoid arthritis," Bennett said in a statement. "It offers a way to build strength and reduce pain without pushing through discomfort -- and that's incredibly empowering for people who've often been limited by their condition."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2025
Read this next
Sense of Life Purpose Lowers Risk for Cognitive Impairment
THURSDAY, Sept. 4, 2025 -- A sense of purpose in life (PiL) is associated with a lower risk for and later onset of cognitive impairment, according to a study published online in...
Risk for Second Cancer Low for Women Treated for Early, Invasive Breast Cancer
THURSDAY, Sept. 4, 2025 -- The risk for second primary cancers is higher for breast cancer survivors than for women in the general population; however, the risk remains low and is...
Paternal Prepubertal Passive Smoke Exposure Impacts Offspring Lung Function
THURSDAY, Sept. 4, 2025 -- Paternal passive smoke exposure before completing puberty may intergenerationally impair lung function in future generations, according to a study...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.