Evidence mapPaperPMID 40560403Full record

ReviewRheumatology international2025

Physical activity of older patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Yuliya Fedorchenko, Olena Zimba, Ainur B Qumar, Marlen Yessirkepov, Burhan Fatih Kocyigit

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Rheumatology international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Handgrip strength testing in rheumatic diseases.Rheumatology international · 2026
    Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Yuliya FedorchenkoDepartment of Pathophysiology, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Ukraine.ORCID 0000-0002-5042-1191
Olena ZimbaDepartment of Clinical Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-4188-8486
Ainur B QumarDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.ORCID 0000-0003-0457-7205
Marlen YessirkepovCenter for Life and Health Sciences, National Academy of Sciences Under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan.ORCID 0000-0003-2511-6918
Burhan Fatih KocyigitDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Research and Training Hospital, Dr. Mithat Ozsan Boulevard, Kisla District, 4522 Street, No: 1, Adana, 01060, Türkiye. bfk2701@hotmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-6065-8002

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in older adults presents a complex clinical challenge, exacerbated by age-related comorbidities, musculoskeletal degeneration, and psychosocial factors, all contributing to significant mobility limitations and reduced quality of life. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on rehabilitation interventions to enhance physical function in RA patients, focusing on walking, aquatic therapy, sauna and massage therapies, and yoga. A comprehensive search of Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and DOAJ (up to May 2025) identified studies highlighting the efficacy of structured physical activity (PA) in reducing disease activity, fatigue, and pain, while improving functional capacity and mental health. Walking interventions, including high-intensity interval protocols, demonstrate immunomodulatory and cardiometabolic benefits, with significant reductions in Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and inflammatory markers. Aquatic therapy, leveraging water's buoyancy, improves functional outcomes and reduces depressive symptoms, while sauna and massage therapies offer pain relief and enhanced flexibility. Yoga, as a mind-body practice, significantly lowers disease activity and enhances physical function and psychological well-being. Wearable technologies, such as actigraphy and pedometry, support personalized exercise regimens by providing real-time data for dynamic goal-setting. The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines advocate for tailored exercise integration into RA management. Despite these benefits, adherence remains challenging due to pain, fatigue, and psychological barriers, necessitating individualized, biopsychosocial approaches. This review provides practical recommendations for rheumatology specialists to implement evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, emphasizing multidisciplinary care to optimize mobility and quality of life in older adults with RA.

Indexed as

Arthritis, RheumatoidExerciseExercise TherapyAgedHumansQuality of LifeYogaCerebrovascular diseaseElderlyMobility impairmentOlder adultsPhysical activityPhysical functionPhysical InactivityRheumatoid arthritis

Identifiers

PMID40560403
PMCPMC12198336

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.