The Effects of Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach on Vascularization, Muscle Strength, Functionality, Anti-Inflammatory and Biopsycosocial Status in Individuals With Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is an inflammatory and chronic autoimmune disease. Systemic sclerosis, which was first defined by Hippocrates as thickened skin, can also progress with skin involvement and fibrosis of internal organs. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disease is not understood, it is thought to occur as a result of interactions between factors affecting collagen synthesis, fibrosis, capillary (vasculopathy) changes and immunological mechanisms. The role of inflammation has an important place in the pathogenesis of the disease. One of the most important factors governing the inflammatory process is cytokines. Changes in the response of the cytokines mentioned in systemic sclerosis, respiratory system involvement and related decrease in walking capacity, loss of muscle strength, weakening of hand functions, as well as weakening the psychological and social aspects of a person who is a biopsychosocial being. In addition to local physiotherapy applications such as paraffin applications, exercises for the face and hands, active stretching, exercise approaches such as exercises for aerobic endurance are also beneficial. However, there is no mention of a standardized exercise model, the quality of life of individuals with systemic sclerosis, which is a rare disease, activities of daily living, studies in which the social and psychological aspects of the individual are included in the treatment, and named and defined exercise methods are lacking in the literature. It is seen that studies are generally carried out with scales and functional tests.

Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach, presents an example of an innovative biopsychosocial model with its own biopsychosocial scale, the basic exercise model of which is core stabilization exercises, including pain management, mood management and sexual information management. For individuals with systemic sclerosis, which is in the group of rare diseases, it is necessary to present the results of the intervention with objective evaluation methods to the literature. In this study, it is aimed to present an exercise model named for this disease group with objective results by examining the effects of Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (BETY) on vascularization, muscle strength, functionality, anti-inflammatory and biopsychosocial status in individuals with systemic sclerosis.