The EJES-3D tool for personalized prescription of exercise in axial spondyloarthritis through multimedia animations: pilot study.

To develop and evaluate a web application based on multimedia animations, combined with a training program, to improve the prescription of exercises in spondyloarthritis (SpA). After a review of exercises included in the main clinical trials and recommendations of international societies, a multidisciplinary team-rehabilitators, rheumatologists, physiotherapists, computer scientists and graphic designers-developed a web application for the prescription of exercises (EJES-3D). Once completed, this was presented to 12 pairs of rehabilitators-rheumatologists from the same hospital in a workshop. Knowledge about exercise was tested in rheumatologists before and 6 months after the workshop, when they also evaluated the application. The EJES-3D application includes 38 multimedia videos and allows prescribing predesigned programs or customizing them. A patient can consult the prescribed exercises at any time from a device with internet connection (mobile, tablet, or computer). The vast majority of the evaluators (89%) were satisfied or very satisfied and considered that their expectations regarding the usefulness of the web application had been met. They highlighted the ability to tailor exercises adapted to the different stages of the disease and the quality and variety of the videos. They also indicated some limitations of the application and operational problems. The EJES-3D tool was positively evaluated by experts in SpA, potentially the most demanding group of users with the most critical capacity. This allows a preliminary validation of the contents, usefulness, and ease of use. Analyzing and correcting the errors and limitations detected is allowing us to improve the EJES-3D tool.

Opinión de los reumatólogos españoles expertos en espondiloartritis sobre el papel del ejercicio en la espondilitis anquilosante y otras enfermedades reumáticas / Expert opinion of Spanish rheumatologists about the role of physical exercise in ankging spondylitis and other rheumatic diseases

Analizar las opiniones de reumatólogos españoles expertos en espondiloartritis (EspA) sobre el papel del ejercicio en este tipo de enfermedades y en otras enfermedades reumáticas. Métodos. Se envió una encuesta a 106 reumatólogos pertenecientes al grupo de trabajo en EspA de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología, GRESSER. Se preguntó sobre aspectos generales del ejercicio (práctica clínica habitual y los conocimientos genéricos), práctica de ejercicio en las EspA (beneficios, indicaciones, contraindicaciones, adherencia, facilitadores) y las características sociodemográficas, profesionales, experiencia con el ejercicio, del encuestado. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo. Resultados. La encuesta se envió a 106 reumatólogos, de los que contestaron 44 (51% mujeres, y más de 20 años de experiencia). Más del 86% considera que sus pacientes necesitan realizar ejercicio, pero su prescripción es moderada. El 42% no tienen formación para la prescripción de ejercicios concretos. El material educativo sobre actividad física disponible consiste fundamentalmente en folletos (90%), páginas web (52%) y vídeos (23%). La importancia terapéutica del ejercicio depende del tipo y de la enfermedad de base. La mayoría coincide en disminuir la intensidad del ejercicio en los brotes de la enfermedad. Para la mayoría, en las EspA el ejercicio no es un factor desencadenante de brotes (66%) y debe utilizarse en cualquier fase de la enfermedad, el tipo depende de la fase de la EspA. Conclusiones. Los reumatólogos consideran el ejercicio una parte fundamental del tratamiento de los pacientes reumáticos, aunque se precisa un mayor conocimiento y desarrollo de estrategias específicas de prescripción del ejercicio en Reumatología (AU)

Objective. To analyze the perceptions of Spanish rheumatologists, experts in spondyloarthropathies (SpA), on the role of exercise in these and in other rheumatic diseases. Methods. A survey to 106 rheumatologists belonging to an SpA working group of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, GRESSER, was collected. The questions were related with general aspects of professional exercise (clinical practice and generic knowledge), use of fitness in SpA (benefits, indications, contraindications, compliance, facilitators), sociodemographic characteristics and professional experience with the respondents’ exercise regimen. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results. the survey was sent to 106 rheumatologists, 44 of them answered (51% female, over 20 years of experience). Over 86% believe that their patients need exercise, but the prescription is moderate. 42% believe they do not have training to prescribe specific exercises. The physical activity education materials available consisted essentially of brochures (90%), websites (52%) and videos (23%). The therapeutic importance of exercise depends on the type of underlying disease. Most agree in decreasing the intensity of exercise during disease flares. For most cases of Spa, exercise is not a trigger of flares (66%), and may be used at any stage of the disease, depending on the type and the phase of the Spa. Conclusions. Rheumatologists consider exercise as a fundamental part of the treatment of rheumatic patients, but greater knowledge and development of specific strategies in its prescription is required (AU)

Expert opinion of Spanish rheumatologists about the role of physical exercise in ankging spondylitis and other rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perceptions of Spanish rheumatologists, experts in spondyloarthropathies (SpA), on the role of exercise in these and in other rheumatic diseases METHODS: A survey to 106 rheumatologists belonging to an SpA working group of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, GRESSER, was collected. The questions were related with general aspects of professional exercise (clinical practice and generic knowledge), use of fitness in SpA (benefits, indications, contraindications, compliance, facilitators), sociodemographic characteristics and professional experience with the respondents' exercise regimen. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: the survey was sent to 106 rheumatologists, 44 of them answered (51% female, over 20 years of experience). Over 86% believe that their patients need exercise, but the prescription is moderate. 42% believe they do not have training to prescribe specific exercises. The physical activity education materials available consisted essentially of brochures (90%), websites (52%) and videos (23%). The therapeutic importance of exercise depends on the type of underlying disease. Most agree in decreasing the intensity of exercise during disease flares. For most cases of Spa, exercise is not a trigger of flares (66%), and may be used at any stage of the disease, depending on the type and the phase of the Spa. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatologists consider exercise as a fundamental part of the treatment of rheumatic patients, but greater knowledge and development of specific strategies in its prescription is required.