Aerobic and resistance exercise in systemic sclerosis: State of the art

Feasibility of a home-based exercise intervention for patients with systemic sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease causing pain, reduced mobility and decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies suggest that exercise is a necessary adjunct to the medical treatment.

PURPOSE

To examine the feasibility of a 12-week home-based exercise program for SSc patients, and evaluate changes in physical function, HRQoL and SSc-related symptoms.

METHODS

Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Feasibility was measured by adherence, adverse events, and exercise task self-efficacy. At baseline and follow-up patients completed the 6-minute walk test, 30-second sit-to-stand test, 30-second arm curl, SSc Impact of Disease (ScleroID) and 36-item short form survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

Median adherence to the intervention was 36 (interquartile range 27-36) out of a total of 36 exercise sessions. Fifteen patients completed the intervention, with three dropouts. Patients' exercise task self-efficacy was 98%, 93% and 78%, for one, two and three weekly exercise sessions, respectively. There were no adverse events related to the exercise sessions. Improvements were observed in all physical tests, and minor improvements in HRQoL and SSc-related symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that a home-based exercise intervention is feasible for patients with SSc. The results suggest improvements in physical function, HRQoL and SSc-related symptoms.

Effects of a telerehabilitation-based exercise program in patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of telerehabilitation-based exercise programs in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

METHODS

Forty-six SSc patients were randomly separated into two groups as telerehabilitation and control. Videos comprising clinical Pilates-based exercises were designed and uploaded to YouTube™ for the telerehabilitation group by physiotherapists. A video interview was conducted with the SSc patients once a week and an exercise program was performed twice daily for 8 weeks in the telerehabilitation group. The same exercise programs were printed on paper brochures and patients were instructed on their application in the form of a home exercise program to be continued for 8 weeks in the control group. Pain, fatigue, quality of life, sleep, physical activity, anxiety, and depression were assessed in all patients at the beginning and end of the study.

RESULTS

The clinical and demographic characteristics were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Fatigue, pain, anxiety, and depression decreased in both groups, while quality of life and sleep quality increased after the exercise program (p < 0.05). However, the improvements in the telerehabilitation group were statistically more significant than in the control group for all studied parameters (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study demonstrate the superior efficacy of telerehabilitation-based treatment programs over home exercise programs, hence, we suggest widespread use of this innovative treatment program in SSc patients.

Consensus-based recommendations on communication and education regarding primary care physical therapy for patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop recommendations for communication and postgraduate education regarding primary care physical therapy for systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

METHODS

A virtual Nominal Group Technique was used with tasks forces for communication (n = 18) and education (n = 21). Both included rheumatologists, physical therapists (PTs) in primary, secondary or tertiary care, rheumatology nurses, advanced nurse practictioners and patient representatives. Three online meetings were organised for each task force to discuss (1) current bottlenecks; (2) potential solutions; and (3) the resulting draft recommendations. After the final adjustments, participants rated their level of agreement with each recommendation on a scale from 0 (not at all agree) to 100 (totally agree), using an online questionnaire.

RESULTS

19 and 34 recommendations were formulated for communication and education, respectively. For communication the main recommendations concerned the provision of an overview of primary care physical therapists with expertise in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases to patients and rheumatologists, the inclusion of the indication by the rheumatologist in the referral to the physical therapist and low-threshold communication with the rheumatologist in case of questions or concerns of the physical therapist. For postgraduate education three types of "on demand" educational offerings were recommended with varying levels of content and duration, to match the competencies and preferences of individual primary care physical therapists.

CONCLUSION

Using a systematic qualitative approach, two multi-stakeholder task forces developed practical recommendations for primary care physical therapists' communication with hospital-based care providers and postgraduate education regarding the treatment of SSc patients.

Right Ventricular Morphology and Function after Exercise Training in People with Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Vascular dysfunction and its concomitant multi-organ involvement, including cardiac involvement, affects prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Regular exercise has demonstrated to be able to improve vascular function in SSc. However, the effects of an exercise program on the heart and specifically in right ventricular (RV) morphology and function in SSc have yet to be explored. The study aimed to examine whether a 3-month combined exercise program can affect RV morphology and function in SSc patients.

METHODS

Twenty-eight SSc patients were randomly allocated to either the exercise training (ET) or the control (CON) group. Baseline and follow-up assessments consisted of a cardiopulmonary exercise test along with both a conventional and a two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) focused on RV morphology and function. Following the baseline assessments, Group ET participated in a supervised combined exercise program for 12 weeks, while group CON received their usual care.

RESULTS

The ET group demonstrated increases in peak oxygen consumption by 25.1% (p < 0.001), global RV free wall longitudinal systolic strain by 6.69% (p < 0.03), RV free wall longitudinal systolic strain of the basal segment by 13.5% (p < 0.001), and global RV four-chamber longitudinal systolic strain by 6.76% (p < 0.03) following the exercise program. No differences were observed in group CON.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined exercise improved cardiorespiratory efficiency and indices of RV systolic function, as assessed by the 2DSTE, in SSc patients.

Physical Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis: The Patient Perspective

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use, satisfaction, needs, and preferences regarding physical therapy (PT) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

A total of 405 SSc patients, treated in the Leiden University Medical Center multidisciplinary care program and fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2013 SSc criteria, received a questionnaire containing 37 questions on use and satisfaction regarding PT over a 2-year period, and their needs and preferences for future PT.

RESULTS

A total of 204 SSc patients (median age 63 years, 81% female) completed the questionnaire. One hundred twenty-eight patients (63%) had used or were using PT in a primary care setting. For 39% of patients not using PT, lack of referral or lack of knowledge was the reason for not using it. The most frequently reported active treatments were muscle-strengthening (n = 92 [72%]), range of motion (n = 77 [60%]), and aerobic exercises (n = 72 [56%]). Specific SSc hand- and mouth-opening exercises were reported by 20 (15%) and 7 (6%) patients, respectively. Manual treatment (massage or passive mobilization) was reported by 83 patients (65%). The mean ± SD satisfaction score (range 0-10) was 8.2 ± 1.6. Regarding patients' needs, 96 patients (47%) of the total group wanted to receive more information concerning PT, and 128 (63%) wanted to continue, start, or restart PT in the near future, with 56 of the 128 patients (44%) favoring individual treatment on a continuous basis.

CONCLUSION

We observed a significant variation in the use and content of PT for SSc patients in a primary care setting. Our results suggest potential underuse of PT care, in particular for hand and oral dysfunction, and underpin the need for initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of PT care for SSc patients.

The Preventive Role of Physical Activity in Systemic Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation with Clinical Parameters and Disease Progression

Although exercise is associated with improved health in many medical conditions, little is known about the possible influences of physical activity (PA) habits pre- and post- a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on disease activity and progression. This cross-sectional study assessed, for the first time, self-reported pre- and post-diagnostic PA levels with the aim to verify if changes in these levels were correlated with demographic/anthropometric data (e.g., weight, height, gender, age, BMI), disease duration, diagnostic/clinical parameters (e.g., skin involvement, pulmonary hemodynamic/echocardiographic data, disease activity) related to disease activity and progression, and quality of life in a population-based sample of patients with SSc. Adult participants (n = 34, age 56.6 ± 13.3 years) with SSc (limited cutaneous SSc, lcSSc, n = 20; diffuse cutaneous SSc, dcSSc, n = 9; sine scleroderma SSc, n = 5) were enrolled at the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of the Humanitas Research Hospital. All medical data were recorded during periodic clinical visits by a rheumatologist. Moreover, all subjects included in this study completed extensive questionnaires to evaluate their health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and others related to health-related physical activity performed before (PRE) and after (POST) the diagnosis of disease. The linear regression analysis has shown that either a high Sport_index or Leisure_index in the PRE-diagnostic period was correlated with lower disease duration in dcSSc patients. Physical load during sport activity and leisure time accounted for ~61.1% and ~52.6% of the individual variation in disease duration, respectively. In lcSSc patients, a high PRE value related to physical load during sporting activities was correlated with a low pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) and the POST value of the Work_index was positively correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and negatively with creatine kinase levels (CK). Interestingly, the univariate analysis showed that Work_index accounts for ~29.4% of the variance in LVEF. Our analysis clearly reinforces the concept that high levels of physical load may play a role in primary prevention-delaying the onset of the disease in those subjects with a family history of SSc-as well as in secondary prevention, improving SSc management through a positive impact on different clinical parameters of the disease. However, it remains a priority to identify a customized physical load in order to minimize the possible negative effects of PA.

Alterations of Lysine Acetylation Profile in Murine Skeletal Muscles Upon Exercise

Objective

Regular exercise is a powerful tool that enhances skeletal muscle mass and strength. Lysine acetylation is an important post-translational modification (PTM) involved in a broad array of cellular functions. Skeletal muscle protein contains a considerable number of lysine-acetylated (Kac) sites, so we aimed to investigate the effects of exercise-induced lysine acetylation on skeletal muscle proteins.

Methods

We randomly divided 20 male C57BL/6 mice into exercise and control groups. After 6 weeks of treadmill exercise, a lysine acetylation proteomics analysis of the gastrocnemius muscles of mice was performed.

Results

A total of 2,254 lysine acetylation sites in 693 protein groups were identified, among which 1,916 sites in 528 proteins were quantified. The enrichment analysis suggested that protein acetylation could influence both structural and functional muscle protein properties. Moreover, molecular docking revealed that mimicking protein deacetylation primarily influenced the interaction between substrates and enzymes.

Conclusion

Exercise-induced lysine acetylation appears to be a crucial contributor to the alteration of skeletal muscle protein binding free energy, suggesting that its modulation is a potential approach for improving exercise performance.

A comprehensive framework for navigating patient care in systemic sclerosis: A global response to the need for improving the practice of diagnostic and preventive strategies in SSc

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), the most lethal of rheumatologic conditions, is the cause of death in >50% of SSc cases, led by pulmonary fibrosis followed by pulmonary hypertension and then scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Multiple other preventable and treatable SSc-related vascular, cardiac, gastrointestinal, nutritional and musculoskeletal complications can lead to disability and death. Vascular injury with subsequent inflammation transforming to irreversible fibrosis and permanent damage characterizes SSc. Organ involvement is often present early in the disease course of SSc, but requires careful history-taking and vigilance in screening to detect. Inflammation is potentially reversible provided that treatment intensity quells inflammation and other immune mechanisms. In any SSc phenotype, opportunities for early treatment are prone to be under-utilized, especially in slowly progressive phenotypes that, in contrast to severe progressive ILD, indolently accrue irreversible organ damage resulting in later-stage life-limiting complications such as pulmonary hypertension, cardiac involvement, and malnutrition. A single SSc patient visit often requires much more physician and staff time, organization, vigilance, and direct management for multiple organ systems compared to other rheumatic or pulmonary diseases. Efficiency and efficacy of comprehensive SSc care enlists trending of symptoms and bio-data. Financial sustainability of SSc care benefits from understanding insurance reimbursement and health system allocation policies for complex patients. Sharing care between recognised SSc centers and local cardiology/pulmonary/rheumatology/gastroenterology colleagues may prevent complications and poor outcomes, while providing support to local specialists. As scleroderma specialists, we offer a practical framework with tools to facilitate an optimal, comprehensive and sustainable approach to SSc care. Improved health outcomes in SSc relies upon recogntion, management and, to the extent possible, prevention of SSc and treatment-related complications.

Exercise as a multi-modal disease-modifying medicine in systemic sclerosis: An introduction by The Global Fellowship on Rehabilitation and Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis (G-FoRSS)

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous multisystem autoimmune disease whereby its main pathological drivers of disability and damage are vascular injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. These mechanisms result in diffuse and diverse impairments arising from ischemic circulatory dysfunction leading to painful skin ulceration and calcinosis, neurovascular aberrations hindering gastrointestinal (GI) motility, progressive painful, incapacitating or immobilizing effects of inflammatory and fibrotic effects on the lungs, skin, articular and periarticular structures, and muscle. SSc-related impairments impede routine activities of daily living (ADLs) and disrupt three critical life areas: work, family, social/leisure, and also impact on psychological well-being. Physical activity and exercise are globally recommended; however, for connective tissue diseases, this guidance carries greater impact on inflammatory disease manifestations, recovery, and cardiovascular health. Exercise, through myogenic and vascular phenomena, naturally targets key pathogenic drivers by downregulating multiple inflammatory and fibrotic pathways in serum and tissue, while increasing circulation and vascular repair. G-FoRSS, The Global Fellowship on Rehabilitation and Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis recognizes the scientific basis of and advocates for education and research of exercise as a systemic and targeted SSc disease-modifying treatment. An overview of biophysiological mechanisms of physical activity and exercise are herein imparted for patients, clinicians, and researchers, and applied to SSc disease mechanisms, manifestations, and impairment. A preliminary guidance on exercise in SSc, a research agenda, and the current state of research and outcome measures are set forth.

Physical therapy in patients with systemic sclerosis: physical therapists' perspectives on current delivery and educational needs

Objective: To assess the perspectives of physical therapists treating patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) on their current practice and educational needs.Method: In July 2019, 405 SSc patients attending a multidisciplinary SSc programme received a survey on physical therapy. Patients who indicated having received physical therapy in the past 2 years were asked to invite their treating physical therapist to complete a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, referral process, content of treatment, perceived knowledge and skills, and educational needs (mostly yes/no answers).Results: Forty-eight of 80 possibly eligible physical therapists treating SSc patients returned the questionnaire [median age 44 years (interquartile range 35-58); 52% female; median number of SSc patients currently treated: 1 (range 1-4)]. Eighty-one per cent (n = 39) of physical therapists had received a referral, with 69% (n = 27/39) judging its content as insufficient. The most often provided types of exercises were range of motion (96%), muscle-strengthening (85%), and aerobic (71%) exercises, followed by hand (42%) and mouth (10%) exercises. Concerning manual treatment, 65% performed either massage or passive mobilization. Regarding competences, 65% indicated feeling capable of treating SSc patients. Nevertheless, 85% expressed the need for an information website on physical therapy in SSc, and 77% for postgraduate education on SSc.Conclusion: Primary care physical therapists treating patients with SSc used a wide range of treatment modalities. Although most stated that they treated very few patients, the majority felt capable of treating SSc patients. Nevertheless, the large majority expressed a need for additional information and educational activities concerning SSc.

Effects of supervised exercise program and home exercise program in patients with systemic sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

To compare the effects of supervised exercise and home exercise program in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

Thirty-seven SSc patients were included. Patients with SSc were allocated into 2 groups as supervised and home exercise. Breathing, aerobic and resistance exercises were performed with a physiotherapist for 12 weeks in the supervised exercise group. Breathing, posture and aerobic exercises were given to the home exercise group as a home program for 12 weeks. All patients were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks later in terms of functional capacity, pulmonary functions, respiratory-peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea severity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue level.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were observed in the functional capacity, measured by 6 minute walking test in the supervised exercise group (before = 376.21 ± 65.50, after = 518.78 ± 75.84 m) and home exercise group (before = 384.44 ± 68.14, after = 432.7 ± 70.8 m; (P < .05). Respiratory-peripheral muscle strength (with the exception of inspiratory muscle strength and upper limb strength in the home exercise group) and HRQoL were significantly increased and fatigue level was significantly decreased in the supervised exercise and home exercise groups (P < .05). However, pulmonary functions and dyspnea severity were significantly improved only in the supervised exercise group (P < .05). The supervised exercise program was found superior to the home exercise program for change in all parameters (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that exercise interventions should be applied in addition to the medical treatments of patients with SSc as supervised and home exercise programs play an important role in the functionality and health status of these patients.

High-intensity interval training can improve hand grip strength, inspiratory muscle, and quality of life in systemic sclerosis subjects

Introduction

Systemic sclerosis/scleroderma (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease with connective tissue, multi-organ, and multisystem involvement. The disease has three main characteristics, namely vasculopathy, fibrosis, and autoimmunity. The effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in aerobic exercise on other rheumatic diseases has been studied, for example in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The purpose of this work is to investigate the effectiveness of HIIT of aerobics exercise on improving the inspiratory muscle, quality of life and functional ability for systemic sclerosis subjects.

Material and methods

The study was conducted on patients with confirmed systemic sclerosis who met the inclusion criteria. The research was carried out for 12 months in the outpatient clinic and gait laboratory of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Results

After HIIT in aerobic exercise, we found significant changes in inspiratory muscle (SNIP values 45.67 [30.92] vs. 54.25 [22.71]), handgrip (13.14 [4.42] vs. 15.63 [4.08]), walking speed (184.70 [26.86] vs. 246.6 [12.30]), metabolic equivalent (3.53 [0.30] vs. 4.21 [1.25]) and Scleroderma-Specific Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index for all visual analog scale (VAS) domains except Disability Index. Exercise approaches are characterized by repeated cycles of exercise interrupted by rest. For a range of clinical conditions, HIIT in aerobic exercise is known to remedy blood vessel function.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that HIIT in aerobic exercise has improved functional ability, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in SSc subjects. Training twice a week in a 12-week HIIT program is considered to be safe for this population. We have to consider internal and external factors that influenced the result. A larger sample and further exploration of the feasibility of combined exercise in SSc patients should be the focus for future research.

Assessment of recent evidence for the management of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: a systematic review

This systematic review summarises current evidence to help guide treatment decisions for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). A systematic search of the literature (January 2012 to April 2018), including grey literature (searched between 1992 and 2011), was conducted using multiple electronic databases. Guidelines, meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials and observational studies reporting on risk stratification, screening, diagnosis, treatment and management outcomes for patients with SSc-ILD were included. A quality assessment of the included evidence was undertaken. In total, 2464 publications were identified and 280 included. Multiple independent risk factors for ILD in patients with SSc were identified, including older age, male sex and baseline pulmonary function. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has been used for characterising ILD in patients with SSc, and pulmonary function tests are a key adjunctive component in the diagnostic and monitoring pathway. The clinical value of biomarkers relating to SSc-ILD diagnosis or assessment for disease progression is unknown at present. Immunosuppressive therapy (monotherapy or combined therapy) is the current standard of care for SSc-ILD; long-term evidence for effective and safe treatment of SSc-ILD is limited. Identification of patients at risk for SSc-ILD remains challenging. HRCT and pulmonary function tests are key to diagnosing and monitoring for disease progression. Although immunosuppressive therapy is considered current first-line treatment, it is partly associated with adverse effects and long-term follow-up evidence is limited. Novel therapies and biomarkers should be further explored in well-controlled clinical studies.

Investigation of the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise program in patients with scleroderma: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

and Purpose: There were studies showing the positive effects of Tai Chi on sleep, fatigue, endurance, balance, anxiety and depression in rheumatologic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Tai Chi exercise program on trunk endurance, balance, sleep, fatigue, anxiety and depression in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

28 patients were randomly divided into two groups as Tai Chi (n:14, 53.35 ± 10.86 years) and home exercise group (n:14, 52.64 ± 9.45 years). Trunk Lateral Endurance Test, Berg Balance Scale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, Fatigue Severity Scale and Fatigue Impact Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used for assesment. All evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the 10th week.

RESULTS

After training, a statistically significant difference was observed in all parameters in Tai Chi group (p:0.00); there was a significant difference in trunk endurance and sleep quality in the home exercise group (p:0.00-0.03) compared to pre-training. When the delta values between groups were compared, Tai Chi group was superior to home exercise group in all parameters except trunk endurance (p:0.00-0.01). No side effects were observed during the exercises.

CONCLUSION

As a result of our study; Tai Chi has a possitive effect on endurance, balance, sleep quality, fatique, anxiety and depression in patients with SSc. Tai Chi should be included in rehabilitation programs as a safe alternative type of exercise to improve trunk endurance, balance, sleep quality and reduce fatigue, anxiety and depression in patients with SSc.

Effect of a tailored home-based exercise program in patients with systemic sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to evaluate the effect of a home-based exercise program on functional capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and disability, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

A 6-month randomized controlled trial was conducted on SSc patients by comparing a home-based minimally supervised exercise program (exercise on a stationary cycle and strengthening of upper limbs; stretching of the hands) with usual care. At baseline and after 3 and 6 months, the patients underwent: 6 minutes walking test; hand mobility in scleroderma test; maximal exercise test on an ergocycle; strength measures (handgrip, quadriceps, and biceps). HRQoL (short-form 36 [SF-36]) and disability (health assessment questionnaire disability index [HAQ-DI]) were measured at the same time.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients participated in the study. Twenty-two were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG, mean age 63.60 ± 10.40 years) and 22 to the control group (CG, 61.80 ± 14.40 years). At 6 months, the distance walked in 6 minutes increased by 46 m (baseline 486, 95% CI 458-513 m; 6 months 532, 95% CI 504-561 m) in IG, whereas it decreased by 5 m (baseline 464, 95% CI 431-497 m; 6 months 459, 95% CI 427-490 m) in CG with a significantly different temporal trend at the between-groups comparison (P < .001). An improvement was also observed for strength measures (handgrip, P = .003; quadriceps, P < .001; biceps, P < .001), for the SF-36 physical component score (P < .001) and for the HAQ-DI (P = .011).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that in SSc patients, a minimally supervised home-based exercise program improves physical performance, quality of life, and disability in comparison with usual care.

Experiences of physical activity and exercise in individuals with systemic sclerosis: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Exercise is emerging as an important part of the treatment in systemic sclerosis-patients with no-mild lung involvement. However, it has not been studied how patients experience physical activity and exercises. We thus explored and described experiences of physical activity/exercises in systemic sclerosis-individuals.

METHOD

Sixteen systemic sclerosis-patients were purposefully recruited to represent variation in gender, age, and lung disease. Semi-structured individual interviews were performed, transcribed and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes (categories) emerged: 1) Essential for life and health (An effective treatment, Reduces fear of deterioration, and Feeling healthy and satisfied with oneself); 2) Disease-related hinders and other barriers (Disease consequences, Risk of worsening, and Non-disease related barriers); and 3) Self-care and/or support (Self-confidence in physical activity/exercise, and, Education and support from healthcare and other).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity/exercises were experienced as essential for life and health and as an effective treatment. It reduced fear of deterioration and made the participants feel healthy and satisfied with oneself. However, participants also experienced disease-related barriers like shortness of breath and pain, and they expressed a risk of worsening. Participants felt confidence in their physical activity/exercises and expressed that education and support from healthcare could be facilitating. Our findings add new knowledge about how systemic sclerosis-patients perceive physical activity/exercise and can contribute to the development of patient education and PA/exercise programs.

Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease, which is characterised by immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis that typically affects the skin, with variable internal organ involvement. It is a rare condition that affects mostly young and middle-aged women, resulting in disproportionate morbidity and mortality. Currently, interstitial lung disease is the most common cause of death among patients with systemic sclerosis, with a prevalence of up to 30% and a 10-year mortality of up to 40%. Interstitial lung disease is more common among African Americans and in people with the diffuse cutaneous form of systemic sclerosis or anti-topoisomerase 1 antibodies. Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease most commonly presents with dyspnoea, cough, and a non-specific interstitial pneumonia pattern on CT scan, with a minority of cases fulfilling the criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia. The standard therapy has traditionally been combinations of immunosuppressants, particularly mycophenolate mofetil or cyclophosphamide. These immunosuppressants can be supplemented by targeted biological and antifibrotic therapies, whereas autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and lung transplantation are reserved for refractory cases.

Scriptaid/exercise-induced lysine acetylation is another type of posttranslational modification occurring in titin

Titin serves important functions in skeletal muscle during exercise, and posttranslational modifications of titin participate in the regulation of titin-based sarcomeric functions. Scriptaid has exercise-like effects through the inhibition of HDAC and regulatory acetylation of proteins. However, it remains mostly unclear if exercise could result in titin’s acetylation and whether Scriptaid could regulate acetylation of titin. We treated C57BL/6 mice with 6-wk treadmill exercise and 6-wk Scriptaid administration to explore Scriptaid’s effects on mice exercise capacity and whether Scriptaid administration/exercise could induce titin’s acetylation modification. An exercise endurance test was conducted to explore their effects on mice exercise capacity, and proteomic studies were conducted with gastrocnemius muscle tissue of mice from different groups to explore titin’s acetylation modification. We found that Scriptaid and exercise did not change titin’s protein expression, but they did induce acetylation modification changes of titin. In total, 333 acetylated lysine sites were identified. Exercise changed the acetylation levels of 33 lysine sites of titin, whereas Scriptaid changed acetylation levels of 31 titin lysine sites. Exercise treatment and Scriptaid administration shared 11 lysine sites. In conclusion, Scriptaid increased exercise endurance of mice by increasing the time mice spent running to fatigue. Acetylation is a common type of posttranslational modification of titin, and exercise/Scriptaid changed the acetylation levels of titin and titin-interacting proteins. Most importantly, titin may be a mediator through which Scriptaid and exercise modulate the properties and functions of exercise-induced skeletal muscle at the molecular level.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Scriptaid administration increased mouse exercise endurance. Acetylation is another type of posttranslational modification of titin. Scriptaid/exercise changed acetylation levels of titin and titin-interacting proteins. Titin may mediate exercise-induced skeletal muscle properties and functions.

The effect and safety of exercise therapy in patients with systemic sclerosis: a systematic review

Given the shortcomings of previous literature reviews evaluating the effect and safety of exercise therapy in SSc, we aimed to carry out a systematic review of the literature specifically on this topic. A structured search strategy was performed in Medline (via PubMed) and other electronic databases from 1990 to 3 September 2019. Randomized controlled trials, observational designs, conference abstracts and trial registrations were included if they concerned SSc patients ≥18 years of age, exercise therapy and reported outcomes related to physical functioning. Nine articles were included. Four randomized controlled trials compared (a) hand exercises, (b) orofacial exercises, (c) aerobic exercises or (d) aerobic exercises plus resistance training with no exercise, demonstrating effects on hand function (a), maximum mouth opening (b), peak oxygen uptake (c + d) and quality of life. All five observational studies concerning hand, orofacial, aerobic and/or strengthening exercises reported improvements of hand function, mouth opening, aerobic capacity and/or muscle strength. In conclusion, the evidence on the effect and safety of exercise therapy in SSc is scanty.

Investigating the effectiveness and feasibility of exercise on microvascular reactivity and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients: study protocol for a feasibility study

Background

Raynaud’s phenomenon is one of the first clinical manifestations observed in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This microvasculature disorder affects mostly the digits in over 95% of SSc patients, significantly affecting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and incurring higher hospital admissions and other healthcare costs. Exercise is known to improve both micro- and macrovascular function – aerobic exercise and resistance training, separately or combined, have been demonstrated to lead to significant vasculo-physiological improvements in conditions that present vasculopathy. However, the effects of a combined exercise programme on microcirculation in SSc patients has yet to be investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with circuit resistance training on the microvascular function in the digital area of SSc patients.

Methods

This will be a randomised controlled, feasibility trial with two arms, wherein 30 patients with SSc in receipt of medical treatment will be randomly assigned to usual care (medical treatment) or to a 12-week supervised exercise programme. Patients in the exercise group will undertake two, 45-min sessions each week consisting of 30 min HIIT (30 s 100% peak power output/30 s passive recovery) on the arm crank ergometer and 15 min of upper body circuit resistance training. Patients will be assessed before as well as at 3 and 6 months following randomisation. Primary outcomes of the study will be recruitment and retention rate, intervention acceptability and adherence to the exercise programme. Secondary outcomes include the digital area cutaneous microvascular function (laser Doppler fluximetry combined with iontophoresis), physical fitness, functional ability, upper back transcutaneous oxygen tension, body composition and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Selected interviews with a subsample of patients will be undertaken to explore their experiences of having Raynaud’s phenomenon and the acceptability of the exercise intervention and study procedures.

Discussion

Data from this study will be used to identify the feasibility of a combined exercise programme to be implemented in SSc patients, the acceptability of the intervention and the study design, and to determine the effects of exercise on the microvasculature. Overall, this study will provide sufficient data to inform and support a full multicentre clinical trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT number): NCT03058887, February 23, 2017.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2980-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The effects of upper and lower limb exercise on the microvascular reactivity in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Aerobic exercise in general and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) specifically is known to improve vascular function in a range of clinical conditions. HIIT in particular has demonstrated improvements in clinical outcomes, in conditions that have a strong macroangiopathic component. Nevertheless, the effect of HIIT on microcirculation in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients is yet to be investigated. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the effects of two HIIT protocols (cycle and arm cranking) on the microcirculation of the digital area in SSc patients.

METHODS

Thirty-four limited cutaneous SSc patients (65.3 ± 11.6 years old) were randomly allocated in three groups (cycling, arm cranking and control group). The exercise groups underwent a 12- week exercise program twice per week. All patients performed the baseline and post-exercise intervention measurements where physical fitness, functional ability, transcutaneous oxygen tension (ΔTcpO2), body composition and quality of life were assessed. Endothelial-dependent as well as -independent vasodilation were assessed in the middle and index fingers using LDF and incremental doses of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cutaneous flux data were expressed as cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC).

RESULTS

Peak oxygen uptake increased in both exercise groups (p < 0.01, d = 1.36). ΔTcpO2 demonstrated an increase in the arm-cranking group only, with a large effect, but not found statistically significant,(p = 0.59, d = 0.93). Endothelial-dependent vasodilation improvement was greater in the arm-cranking (p < 0.05, d = 1.07) in comparison to other groups. Both exercise groups improved life satisfaction (p < 0.001) as well as reduced discomfort and pain due to Raynaud's phenomenon (p < 0.05). Arm cranking seems to be the preferred mode of exercise for study participants as compared to cycling (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in the body composition or the functional ability in both exercise groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that arm cranking has the potential to improve the microvascular endothelial function in SSc patients. Also notably, our recommended training dose (e.g., a 12-week HIIT program, twice per week), appeared to be sufficient and tolerable for this population. Future research should focus on exploring the feasibility of a combined exercise such as aerobic and resistance training by assessing individual's experience and the quality of life in SSc patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT number): NCT03058887 , February 23, 2017.

Clinical significance and usefulness of rehabilitation for systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem connective tissue disorder characterized by excessive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Impairments in skin, the musculoskeletal system, and respiratory system require rehabilitation therapy because they may lead to disabilities and reduce the quality of life in daily activities. Rehabilitation for systemic sclerosis mainly comprises two distinct approaches that include local and global rehabilitation. Local rehabilitation is applied to maintain and/or improve hand and face functions, while global rehabilitation includes aerobic and resistance exercises. Although few high-quality randomized clinical trials have been conducted to date, previous studies indicated the effectiveness of rehabilitation therapy for decreasing local and systemic disabilities, resulting in improved quality of life. Rehabilitation for systemic sclerosis needs to be regularly and constantly performed at home as well as in hospitals. Physicians involved in the treatment of systemic sclerosis need to consider rehabilitation, and skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists also play a crucial role in evaluating and treating systemic sclerosis patients.