OP0314-PARE Group Exercise Therapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): The Patients' Perspective

BackgroundGroup exercises have been recommended for patients with AS with, some exercise classes having been instituted more than 20 years ago. Current practice may therefore not be consistent with the current needs and preferences of AS patients and new scientific insights into required components and dosage (exercises improving joint mobility, strength, cardiopulmonary fitness and neuromotor abilities) dosage (intensity x duration/repetitions, dependent on age and health status), frequency (at least 2–3 times a week).ObjectivesTo determine to what extent patients with AS are satisfied with a long-existing group exercise programme and what their preferences are regarding the current and required features of group exercise classes.MethodsA survey was administered to patients participating in a group exercise programme used in a randomised trial (1). The programme, once a week during 2.5 hours, consisted of mobility exercises, sports activities (e.g. volleyball, badminton) and hydrotherapy, addressing strength, mobility and fitness without specification of dosage, regular monitoring or home exercises. The survey investigated experiences with the dosage of the programme components (too high/too low), its subjective effects, patients' preferences regarding potentially novel elements (heart rate controlled training, regular standardized assessments of mobility, physical function and activity limitations) and increased exercise frequency (in favour/not in favour/don't know).Results43 of 48 patients (90%) returned the survey, 31 (72%) were male, their median age was 58 years (range 33–80). Overall, there were patients finding the dosage of various programme components either high/too high or low/too low and/or deserving less or more attention. The top 3 of most frequently perceived positive effect of the programme were the prevention of deterioration (74%), moving less stiff (61%) and an improved cardiopulmonary fitness (30%). Regarding potential adaptations, the majority of patients favoured implementing heart rate-guided cardio-vascular training (63%) and standardized and periodic assessments (74%), whereas a minority favoured increasing the frequency of exercise classes (23%).Satisfaction of 43 AS patients regarding a group exercise programmePatients' opinions regarding programme componentsExercise therapySportsHydrotherapyDuration too short/too long4 (9)/3 (7)7 (16)/4 (9)4 (9)/1 (2)Intensity too high/not high enough3 (7)/6 (14)3 (7)/9 (21)3 (7)/8 (19)Patient