Physical therapy and physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex chronic disease, which, despite the advanced pharmacological treatment, requires care provided by health professionals other than the rheumatologist in many patients during the course of their disease. Physical therapy is an important part of the non-pharmacological treatment of patients with RA. However, due to the changes in the medical treatment of patients with RA the role of physical therapists and patient has changed as well. The aims of the present thesis were to describe the currently available RA guideline including recommendations concerning the physical therapy management, to develop a RA guideline specific for physical therapists, and make an inventory of the currently provided physical therapy management in patients with RA. Moreover, this thesis includes a synthesis of the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of supervised and home-based exercise programs in patients with RA and the maintenance of physical activity after two one-year internet-based physical activity interventions in RA patients. In addition, the role of motivation and health care providers__ practice regarding the level of physical activity of patients with RA was evaluated.