NCT05304832

The Role of Aquatic-Based Plyometric Exercises for Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The Effectiveness of Aqua-plyometric Exercises for Muscle Strength, Bone Health, and Physical Ability in Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. A 12-week, Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (actual)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study was designed to assess the effect of a 12-week aqua-plyometric (AquaPlyo) training on muscle strength, bone health, and physical ability in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Forty-eight patients with JIA were randomly allocated to the AquaPlyo group (n = 24, received an aquatic-based plyometric training program, twice/week, over 12 weeks) or the control group (n = 24, received standard exercise program). Both groups were assessed for muscle strength, bone health, and physical ability pre and post-treatment.

Detailed description

Forty-eight patients with JIA were recruited from the pediatric rheumatology clinics of three large referral hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study included patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of Polyarticular JIA (according to the criteria set forth by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology), aged 12-18 years, identified being stable cases, and did not participate in a regular exercise program (in the past six months). Patients who had fixed deformities, a history of joint surgery, or whose radiological investigations revealed erosive changes of bone, ankylosing, or fractures were excluded. Outcome measures 1. Muscle strength: The peak concentric torque of the right and left quadriceps muscle was measured through an Isokinetic Dynamometer. 2. Bone health: Areal bone mineral density, volumetric bone density, and bone mineral content of the lumbar spine and neck of femur were measured through Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. 3. Physical ability: The physical performance was assessed using the 6-minute walk test. The AquaPlyo group received a 12-week AquaPlyo training, 45 minutes per session, two times a week for 12 consecutive weeks, in conformity with the National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics safety standards. The AquaPlyo program consisted of ten unilateral and bilateral lower limb plyometrics in the form of hopping/bounding/jumping activities conducted in a water medium. The AquaPlyo training included a warm-up for 10 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes. The control group received the standard exercise program, 45 minutes per session, two times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of flexibility exercise, strength training, weight-bearing, proprioceptive training, and free treadmill walking or cycle ergometry.

Conditions

• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Aqua-Plyometric Exercise	The aqua-plyometric training was conducted for 45 minutes, twice weekly, for 12 successive weeks. The training was geared toward the lower body and was conducted under close supervision of a licensed pediatric physical therapist in accordance with the safety performance guidelines defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US National Strength and Conditioning Association.
OTHER	Standard physical therapy	The program encompassed the standard exercises for patients with JIA (aerobic, weight-bearing, proprioceptive, flexibility, and strengthening exercises). The training was conducted for 40 minutes, two times a week for 12 successive weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-12-06
• Primary completion: 2022-01-30
• Completion: 2022-01-30
• First posted: 2022-03-31
• Last updated: 2022-12-28

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Saudi Arabia