Physical activity and exercise in patients with pediatric rheumatic disease: A systematic search and review

Özet

Childhood rheumatic diseases are a group of diseases that can affect many organs and systems, resulting in pain, joint stiffness, muscle atrophy and weakness. Physical inactivity hasbeen reported in many childhood rheumatic diseases. There are many studies in the literaturecomparing the effectiveness of exercise programs in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.Exercise and physical activity are considered major parts of the treatment of children withrheumatic disease. The aim of this review is to systematically present studies on physical activityand exercise programs in children with rheumatism from the last 5 years. An internet-basedsearch of three databases-PubMed, PEDro and Medline- was conducted to find relevant studies. Two reviewers individually identified studies on the basis of their title, abstract or full text-asnecessary-to determine their eligibility. Differences of opinion between the two examiners wereresolved by discussion. Scientific studies of children with different rheumatic diagnoses haveshown that physical activity and exercise have a significant effect on reducing the symptoms ofthe disease. However, the duration, frequency, method and evaluation of the exercises are stillbeing discussed in the literature.