Evidence-informed exercise dose targets for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and bayesian dose–response network meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Larger model-estimated exercise doses were not consistently associated with greater benefit.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of structured exercise interventions lasting at least 2 weeks
- Participants
- 3,132 adults44 RCTs93 arms
- Comparison
- Exercise modalities at modelled weekly doses
- Outcome
- Dose–response effects on DAS28, VAS pain, HAQ-DI and VO₂max
Methodological detailsquadratic dose–response model (MBNMAdose), exercise dose standardised as MET-min/week, RoB 2, CINeMA
- Quadratic dose–response model (MBNMAdose)
- Exercise dose standardised as MET-min/week
- RoB 2
- CINeMA
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Largest model-estimated effects by modality and outcome
Traditional Chinese exercise (TCE), DAS28 reduction at 500 MET-min/week: MD
−0.84
95% CrI −1.16 to −0.50
Resistance exercise (RE), VAS pain reduction at 820 MET-min/week: MD −14.03 mm
−14.03
95% CrI −19.98 to −8.68
RE, HAQ-DI reduction at 1000 MET-min/week: MD
−0.26
95% CrI −0.47 to −0.06
Aerobic exercise (AE), VO₂max improvement at 750 MET-min/week: MD 4.75 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹
4.75
95% CrI 3.39 to 6.11
Further pooled results
Sensitivity analyses
- VO₂max findings most robust; DAS28 estimates more sensitive to exclusion of high risk-of-bias studies
Meta-regression (age, intervention duration)
- No clear moderation by age or intervention duration
Confidence in evidence (CINeMA)
- Very low to moderate across outcomes and comparisons
Original publication
Evidence-informed exercise dose targets for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and bayesian dose–response network meta-analysis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 26 September 2026. doi:10.
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