Rheumatology international
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of spinal stabilization exercises in women with benign joint hypermobility syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week lumbar spinal stabilization exercise program on pain, trunk muscle endurance, and postural stability in women with benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS). Women with BJHS were randomly allocated into exercise (n = 20) and control (n = 18) groups. The lumbar spinal stabilization exercise program was carried out 3 days a week for 8 weeks. ⋯ Pain intensity, trunk muscle endurance, and only dynamic stability (eyes open) improved in the exercise group in comparison to the control group. The lumbar spinal stabilization exercise program improved pain complaints, postural stability, and trunk muscle endurance of women with BJHS. The program can be used for general pain relief, trunk muscle weakness, and postural impairment in women with BJHS.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Maintenance of remission with combination etanercept-DMARD therapy versus DMARDs alone in active rheumatoid arthritis: results of an international treat-to-target study conducted in regions with limited biologic access.
In this transglobal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, treat-to-target study, the maintenance of efficacy was compared between biologic-and biologic-free-disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) combination regimens after low disease activity (LDA) was achieved with biologic DMARD induction therapy. Patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate therapy received open-label etanercept 50 mg subcutaneously once weekly plus methotrexate with or without other conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs for 24 weeks. Patients achieving LDA [disease activity score in 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) <3.2] at week 24 were randomized to receive etanercept-methotrexate combination therapy or placebo-methotrexate combination therapy, with or without other csDMARDs, for 28 weeks. ⋯ After induction of response with etanercept combination therapy following a treat-to-target approach in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis and high disease activity at baseline, the etanercept combination regimen was significantly more effective in maintaining LDA and remission than a biologic-free regimen. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier. NCT01578850.