17A159

A Physiotherapy-led In-patient Intensive Rehabilitation Programme for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Follow-up Outcomes

Author(s)

Caroline Clarke1, Pauline Taggart1, Julie Monaghan1, Jonathan McKnight2, Andrew Cairns2

Department(s)/Institutions

1Physiotherapy Department, Mitre Rehabilitation Unit, Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman’s Lane, Belfast BT9 7JB 2Department of Rheumatology, Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman’s Lane, Belfast BT9 7B

Introduction

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatological disease which primarily affects the axial spine. AS is associated with reductions in physical activity, work productivity and quality of life (O’Dwyer et al 2017).

Aims/Background

To assess the short-term effectiveness of an intensive rehabilitation programme using BASMI and EASI-QOL outcomes, and long-term patient satisfaction and physical activity behaviour and adherence to exercise plan.

Method

Thirty-two AS patients (25 males and 7 females) admitted to an in-patient rheumatology ward underwent a 1 to 2-week physiotherapy-led intensive rehabilitation programme and were discharged with a home exercise programme. Pre/post rehabilitation BASMI scores were available for 26 patients. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients achieving an improvement on BASMI scores at discharge. Secondary outcome measures included improvements in physical activity levels and adherence to home exercise plan for longer than 3 months which was obtained via a postal patient satisfaction and physical activity questionnaire which achieved a response rate of 50% (n=16).

Results

Improvements in BASMI scores was achieved in 69% of patients (n=18) at the end of the in-patient rehabilitation period. Improvements in EASI-QOL were achieved in 83% of patients (n=15) at the end of the in-patient rehabilitation period. Ninety- four percent of patients (n=15) reported increased levels of physical activity after discharge, with 81% (n=13) of patients maintaining their home exercise programme for 3 months or more. Thirty-one percent (n=5) of patients carry out at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week (National Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines is 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity).



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Conclusions

This recent audit shows the effectiveness of an intensive physiotherapy-led in-patient rehabilitation programme for Ankylosing Spondylitis improving BASMI scores in the short-term and increasing physical activity behaviour over the long-term. Future work will aim to compare demographics and medical treatment differences between improvers and non-improvers.



Reference:

O’Dwyer T., Monaghan A., Moran J., O’Shea, Wilson F (2017) Behaviour change intervention increases physical activity, spinal mobility and quality of life in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 63: 30-39



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