Exercise and Body Composition in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Summary

This research is being done to see if resistance exercise (RE) is safe and has a positive effect on children and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

JIA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can cause severe impairment and disability. JIA can cause bone loss and decreased muscle strength. The medications used to treat JIA can also have negative effects on growth and development, strength, and ability to function. RE is performing movements in a slow and controlled fashion (i.e., no speeding up or using force in the lifting and lowering of the weight) to lessen force on the joints and tissues. This study will be using Ren-Ex exercise equipment to perform RE.

Currently the American College of Rheumatology recommends exercise for patients with arthritis. This exercise includes range of motion exercise to protect joint mobility as well as low resistance and aerobic exercise (AE) to protect muscle mass, bone health, and fitness. However, a recent study showed no major differences in functionality or quality of life between patients who performed AE and those who did not perform AE. There is a need for more data on the impact of RE on children with JIA. Children and young adults aged 10 to 21 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis may join.

Conditions

• Arthritis, Juvenile

Interventions

OTHER

Ren-Ex Machine

The exercise is performed once per week with individualized instruction using moderate resistance on Ren-Ex Machines, ultra-low-friction equipment to minimize force on joints.

OTHER

Dual-Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan

To study body composition

OTHER

Biodex dynamometer

To study muscle strength

OTHER

Sub-maximal test

To study lung capacity, a sub-maximal (limited exercise) test on a stationary bicycle is performed.

OTHER

Quality of life questionnaires

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  collaborator NIH

• Johns Hopkins University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sangeeta Sule, M.D., Ph.D. · Johns Hopkins University

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

10 Years

Max Age

21 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-07-31

Primary Completion

2015-10-31

Completion

2015-10-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations