High-intensity exercise improves multidimensional fatigue and health-related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled study
Authors' conclusion
The high-intensity exercise intervention had a beneficial effect on multidimensional fatigue, and health-related quality of life in people with RA. The effect on fatigue and health-related quality of life persisted during the 12 months-follow up period indicating long-term effects.
Study context
- Population
- People diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), mean age 48 (SD 9.66) years, 84% females
- Participants
- 87 people
- Comparison
- Supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength exercise for 12 weeks vs counseling on general physical activity recommendations
- Intervention group (IG)n = 43
- Controln = 44reference
- Primary endpoint
- Multidimensional fatigue (MFI-20)
- Follow-up
- 3 months
Methodological detailsmulticenter
- Multicenter
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
MFI-20 subscales, mean group difference in change
Each group vs controlEstimate (95% CI)
IG
mean group difference in change, General fatigue −4.0(−5.57 to −2.39)
IG
mean group difference in change, Physical fatigue −4.9(−6.43 to −3.36)
IG
mean group difference in change, Reduced activity −2.5(−3.84 to −1.20)
IG
mean group difference in change, Reduced motivation −1.8(−2.97 to −0.62)
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Health-related quality of life (VAS-global), mean group difference in change · 3 monthsIn favor of the IG | mean group difference in change −12.8 (95% CI −21.3 to −4.3) | |
| MFI-20 subscales and VAS-global, mean group difference · 6 monthsIGvs Control | mean group difference, General fatigue −2.4 (95% CI −3.85 to −0.92) | |
| MFI-20 subscales and VAS-global, mean group difference · 6 monthsIGvs Control | mean group difference, Physical fatigue −3.7 (95% CI −5.25 to −2.10) | |
| MFI-20 subscales and VAS-global, mean group difference · 6 monthsIGvs Control | mean group difference, Reduced activity −2.0 (95% CI −3.53 to −0.39) | |
| MFI-20 subscales and VAS-global, mean group difference · 6 monthsIGvs Control | mean group difference, Reduced motivation −1.6 (95% CI −2.93 to −0.16) | |
| MFI-20 subscales and VAS-global, mean group difference · 6 monthsIGvs Control | mean group difference, VAS-global −9.2 (95% CI −17.47 to −0.94) | |
| −30−20−10010Difference (linear scale) |
Physical fatigue, depression mood, pain and VAS-global · 12 months
- Significant mean group difference, still in favor of the IG
- P < 0.05
Original publication
High-intensity exercise improves multidimensional fatigue and health-related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 18 September 2025. doi:10.
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