The long-term benefits of physical training for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are confirmed by a study published in the medical journal Arthritis and Rheumatism. Dr. Arja Hakkinen, of Central Hospital, in Jyvaskyla, Finland, and colleagues examined the impact of a two-year, home-based strength-training program on physical function in 70 people with early RA. The participants were randomly chosen to perform either strength training (experimental group) or range-of-motion exercises (controls). During the 2-year training period, maximum strength of various muscles increased between 19 percent and 59 percent in the experimental group, and the increases persisted five years later. The control group experienced improvements in muscle strength of 1 percent to 31 percent. 8th street latinas Limitations in usual daily activities decreased by 50 percent in the experimental group, compared with 45 percent in the control group, and pain decreased by 67 percent versus 39 percent. "Individually tailored and regularly conducted physical exercises in the beginning of the disease lead to long-term increases in the physiological reserve and consequently the functional capacity of RA patients, provided that the duration and intensity of muscle exercises are sufficient," Hakkinen's team concludes. Mike in Brazil "In-depth information and motivation of the patients are other prerequisites for success," they add. SOURCE: Arthritis and Rheumatism, February 15, 2004