MedPath

The Effect of Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach in Individuals With Systemic Sclerosis

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Systemic Sclerosis
Interventions
Other: Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (BETY)
Registration Number
NCT05453071
Lead Sponsor
Hacettepe University
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (BETY) on vascularization, muscle strength, functionality, anti-inflammatory and biopsychosocial status in individuals with systemic sclerosis and to present a named exercise model for this disease group with objective results.

Detailed Description

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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
37
Inclusion Criteria
  • Having been diagnosed with Systemic Sclerosis
  • Being between the ages of 18-65
  • Regular attendance at the rheumatology outpatient clinic at Hacettepe University
  • No medication change in the last 3 months
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  • Having a severe musculoskeletal disability Being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension
  • FVC value below 50%
  • History of active infection
  • Symptomatic cardiac involvement
  • Having a psychiatric disorder
  • Pregnancy
  • History of active myositis
  • Renal failure
  • Not being literate
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
BETY GroupCognitive Exercise Therapy Approach (BETY)Since 2004, group exercise sessions have been organized as a routine form of treatment for individuals diagnosed with rheumatism in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation of Hacettepe University. The first evaluation will be made if the individuals who come to the routine doctor's examination agree to participate in the study. According to being included in one of the two groups as those who decided to attend the BETY sessions that have been going on for 18 years and those who did not agree to attend the sessions; The individuals included in the BETY group (Group 1) will be evaluated on the day of the last exercise session after their participation in the 12-week exercise group.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
BETY-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ)3 Months

It is a 5-point Likert-type scale consisting of 30 questions developed with individuals with rheumatism. It is a practical scale that evaluates individuals in terms of fatigue and functionality, sleep, mood, sexuality, pain and sociability. Each question is scored as "0= never, 1=yes rarely, 2=yes sometimes, 3=yes often 4=yes always" and gives a total score over 30 items. A high score means a low biopsychosocial level. The total score is scored between 0-120

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS)3 Months

A method in which the skin firmness of the person is evaluated by holding the skin between two fingers and looking at the degree of stretching. It is a standard disease activity scoring applied in doctor's examinations for Systemic Sclerosis patients. It evaluates the skin hardness of 17 different parts of the body. 0= normal skin , 1= mild skin thickness, 2= moderate skin thickness, 3= severe skin thickness. A high score indicates increased skin thickness. The total score is scored between 0-51

Quality of Life Scale Short Form-36 (SF-36)3 Months

SF-36 Quality of Life Scale; It is a 36-item, 11-question scale that allows general health screening with 8 sub-parameters consisting of general health, physical function, social function, pain, emotional well-being, role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems and vitality. It is a generic scale, Items are scored as '0 = worst health condition 100 = best health state'. Each subcategory is scored between 0 and 100 points, with a high score indicating good health.

Modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (mHAMIS)3 Months

It is a method in which the hand functions of individuals are evaluated by a physiotherapist. It evaluates 4 different hand functions based on observation.

Six-minute walk test (6MWT)3 Months

In order to evaluate the aerobic capacity of individuals, they will be toured for 6 minutes at a distance of 30 meters. The average 6MWT is between 400 and 700 meters.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects3 Months

Examination of the cytokine profiles of the patients will be done before and after the treatment for Group 1, and for Group 2 at the initial and final evaluation. IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a and Irisin values, which are the cytokines that the literature focuses on in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis, will be checked by blood analysis with the same measurement units at Hacettepe University Central Laboratory.

Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ)3 Months

Dressing and grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip and activities are evaluated with 20 items divided into eight areas. The answers given to each question range from "without any difficulty (0)", "with some difficulty (1)", "with much difficulty (2)" and "unable to do (3)". Afterwards, it is requested to show how Raynaud's phenomenon, digital ulcers, intestinal involvement, respiratory and overall disease severity affect the daily activity level on a 15 cm long section. The SHAQ-global score is formed by dividing the sum of the scores of these 8 parameters and 5 items by 13. High score indicates low functionality.

Evaluation of muscle strength3 Months

Muscle strength assessment of knee joint flexor and extensor muscle group will be made with Biodex System Pro3® (Biodex Corp, Shirley, NY, USA) device. Before each measurement, patients will be tested 3 times, and knee flexor and extensor maximal concentric isokinetic muscle strength will be measured at 180°/sec 10 repetitions and 60°/sec 5 repetitions angular speeds, with a 30 sec rest interval after each angular velocity.

Evaluation of vascular structure3 Months

Doppler ultrasonography technique is an ultrasonography method that evaluates the blood flow passing through the lumens of the vascular structures in the body. In this method, flow velocity and resistance measurements can be made in vascular structures by measuring the changing return frequencies of sound waves sent from ultrasound probes to the tissues due to the movement of blood cells flowing in the vessel. In the study, the vascular status of the arteries on the forearm and palmar face will be examined by Doppler ultrasonography.

Duruoz Hand Index3 Months

Questionnaire form-18 is a likert-type scale that evaluates different hand functions. It can score between 0-90. A high score means a low hand functions.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)3 Months

It is a scale that evaluates anxiety and depression, which are psychological symptoms that can occur with diseases, with 14 items. Each question is scored between 0-3 points and a total score between 0 and 21 points can be obtained. A total score of 0-7 is considered normal, a score of 8-10 is considered borderline abnormal (borderline case), and a score of 11-21 is considered abnormal (case).

0-7 points are normal, 8-10 points are borderline abnormal (borderline case) and 11-21 points are abnormal (case) It is considered.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hacettepe University

🇹🇷

Ankara, Turkey

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath