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Journals / Yüksek İhtisas Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2

An Examination of Therapeutic Exercise Approaches in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Review

Ehlers-Danlos Sendromunda Terapötik Egzersiz Yaklaşımlarının İncelenmesi: Bir Derleme

Ela Alkaya(YÜKSEK İHTİSAS ÜNİVERSİTESİ, LİSANSÜSTÜ EĞİTİM ENSTİTÜSÜ)0009-0000-2246-6811
Ece Uysal Altunbilek(YÜKSEK İHTİSAS ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8102-4543
Pages
105–110
Publication Date
2026-08-28
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The aim of this review is to examine therapeutic exercise approaches in individuals with EDS and to present the clinical effects of these interventions.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Introduction: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by defects in the structural components of connective tissue and involvement of multiple organ systems.
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Key Findings & Data:Clinical features such as joint hypermobility, instability, chronic pain, muscle weakness, and proprioceptive impairment may reduce physical activity levels and lead to decreased functional capacity.
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Conclusion & Impact:The aim of this review is to examine therapeutic exercise approaches in individuals with EDS and to present the clinical effects of these interventions.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2006 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Ehlers-Danlos Sendromu · egzersiz · eklem i̇nstabilitesi

Abstract

Introduction: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by defects in the structural components of connective tissue and involvement of multiple organ systems. Clinical features such as joint hypermobility, instability, chronic pain, muscle weakness, and proprioceptive impairment may reduce physical activity levels and lead to decreased functional capacity. In this review, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to examine therapeutic exercise approaches in individuals with EDS. Studies published between 2006 and 2025 in English and Turkish were included. As a result of the literature review, randomized controlled trials, clinical studies, systematic reviews, and relevant observational studies were included and synthesized using a narrative review approach. The findings suggest that progressive resistance exercises may improve muscle strength and joint stability, while low-impact aerobic exercises may support cardiorespiratory fitness and daily functional performance. Proprioception and balance-focused exercises may enhance postural control and reduce fall risk, whereas respiratory exercises may improve inspiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. Additionally, yoga, stretching, and relaxation-based interventions, when appropriately modified, may contribute to symptom management. Conclusion: Exercise programs tailored to individual symptoms and functional levels may play an important role in improving pain control, functional independence, and quality of life in individuals with EDS. However, further high-quality studies are needed due to the limited evidence available. The aim of this review is to examine therapeutic exercise approaches in individuals with EDS and to present the clinical effects of these interventions.

Özet

Giriş: Ehlers-Danlos Sendromu (EDS), bağ dokusunun yapısal bileşenlerindeki bozukluklara bağlı olarak gelişen ve çoklu sistemleri etkileyebilen kalıtsal bir hastalık grubudur. Eklem hipermobilitesi, instabilite, kronik ağrı, kas kuvvetsizliği ve propriyoseptif yetersizlik gibi klinik özellikler, bireylerin fiziksel aktivite düzeyini azaltarak fonksiyonel kapasitenin düşmesine neden olmaktadır. Bu derlemede, EDS tanılı bireylerde terapötik egzersiz yaklaşımlarını incelemek amacıyla PubMed, Scopus, Google Akademik ve Web of Science veri tabanları taranmış; 2006–2025 yılları arasında yayımlanan İngilizce ve Türkçe çalışmalar değerlendirilmiştir. Literatür taraması sonucunda randomize kontrollü çalışmalar, klinik araştırmalar, sistematik derlemeler ve ilgili gözlemsel çalışmalar dahil edilerek anlatısal (narrative) derleme yöntemiyle sentezlenmiştir. Literatür bulguları, progresif direnç egzersizlerinin kas kuvveti ve eklem stabilitesi üzerinde olumlu etkiler sağlayabileceğini; düşük etkili aerobik egzersizlerin kardiyorespiratuar uygunluk ve günlük yaşam performansını destekleyebileceğini göstermektedir. Propriyosepsiyon ve denge odaklı egzersizlerin postüral kontrolü iyileştirebileceği ve düşme riskini azaltabileceği, solunum egzersizlerinin ise inspiratuar kas gücü ve akciğer fonksiyonları üzerinde olumlu etkiler sağlayabileceği bildirilmektedir. Ayrıca yoga, esneme ve gevşeme temelli uygulamaların uygun şekilde modifiye edilerek uygulandığında semptom yönetimine katkı sağlayabileceği belirtilmektedir. Sonuç: Bireysel semptomlara ve fonksiyonel düzeye göre planlanan egzersiz programlarının ağrı kontrolü, fonksiyonel bağımsızlık ve yaşam kalitesinin artırılmasında önemli rol oynayabileceği düşünülmektedir. Bununla birlikte, mevcut kanıtların sınırlı olması nedeniyle daha yüksek kaliteli çalışmalara ihtiyaç bulunmaktadır. Bu derlemenin amacı, EDS tanılı bireylerde uygulanan terapötik egzersiz yaklaşımlarını incelemek ve bu müdahalelerin klinik etkilerini ortaya koymaktır.

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Cite This Article

Alkaya, E., Altunbilek, E. U. (2026). An Examination of Therapeutic Exercise Approaches in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Review. Yüksek İhtisas Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2, 105–110. https://ajindex.com/articles/1647673

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