| Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercises on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic literature search was done using CNKI, Wanfang, Vip, CBM, as well as PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases from January 2010 to February 2020 at home and abroad. The RCTs comparing exercise-based therapy with non-exercise-based therapy on RA were included. Literature was screened and information extracted according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality evaluation was performed by Cochrane risk bias assessment form. Meta analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.2 software. Outcomes studied included post-intervention joint count, morning stiffness time, ESR, DAS28, average grip strength of both hands, disability on the HAQ and PGA. Efficacy was assessed by Standard mean difference/Weighted mean differences and the heterogeneity was tested. Results: A total of 9 RCTs, with a total of 547 patients, including 262 in the exercises & drug group and 285 in the drug group, were analyzed. There was significant difference between two groups in SJC ［WMD=-0.74, P<0.00001］, morning stiffness time ［SMD=-0.54, P<0.0001］, ESR ［SMD=-0.26, P=0.04］, DAS28 ［WMD=-0.45, P=0.02］, mean grip strength of both hands ［SMD=0.38, P=0.001］, HAQ ［SMD=-0.51, P<0.0001］ and PGA ［SMD=-2.43, P=0.0006］. The results suggested that the exercises combined with conventional drug group had a significant advantage in the treatment of RA in comparison to the traditional drug treatment group. Conclusion: The combination of exercises and drug therapy in RA is safe, and the improvement in most outcomes was statistically significant, which can improve patients’ dysfunction, reduce joint pain and swelling, and improve the quality of life. |
