Efficacy of Structured Progressive Training Exercise on Muscle Strength of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

March 26, 2026 updated by: Mohammed Hakim Shamran Al-Hchaim, Kufa University

This study aims to find out if a specific exercise program helps patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes pain, weakness, and reduced function in the joints and muscles. While medication is common, exercise is also important for management.

The study will test a program called "Progressive Resistance Training." About 118 adult patients with RA at AL-Najaf Teaching Hospital will participate. They will be divided into two groups. One group will perform specific resistance exercises for six weeks, while the other group will continue their usual care without this specific training.

The researchers will measure muscle strength, cardiovascular function, and energy levels before and after the six-week program. The goal is to determine if this exercise improves muscle strength and helps patients perform daily activities more efficiently. The study hopes to show that resistance training is a safe and effective way to improve quality of life for people with RA.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

118

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis according to American College of Rheumatology criteria
  • Age 18-65 years
  • Both genders eligible
  • Disease duration of at least 6 months
  • Stable medication regimen for at least 3 months before study
  • Mild to moderate disease activity
  • Able to walk independently with or without assistive devices
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Agree to participate in the exercise program for 6 weeks
  • Attending AL-Najaf Teaching Hospital for RA management

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe cardiovascular disease (unstable angina, recent MI, severe heart failure)
  • Other inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus)-
  • Recent joint surgery or fracture within the past 6 months
  • Severe osteoporosis with fracture risk
  • Pregnancy
  • Severe cognitive impairment preventing participation
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (BP >180/110 mmHg)
  • Active infection or fever at baseline
  • Severe joint damage preventing exercise participation
  • Participation in another exercise program during the study period
  • Neuromuscular disorders affecting muscle function

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Progressive Resistance Training Group

Participants in this group will receive a supervised Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) program for 6 weeks. The intervention includes:

  • Resistance exercises 3 times per week
  • Sessions lasting 45-60 minutes each
  • Exercises targeting major muscle groups of upper and lower extremities
  • Use of resistance bands, light weights, and body weight exercises
  • Progressive intensity starting at 40-50% and increasing to 60-70% of maximum capacity
  • 8-12 repetitions per set, 2-3 sets per exercise
  • Supervised by trained physical therapist at AL-Najaf Teaching Hospital
  • Regular monitoring of pain, fatigue, and disease activity

The program is designed to improve muscle strength in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis while maintaining safety and avoiding disease exacerbation.
Other: Progressive Resistance Training

Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) program for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The intervention consists of supervised resistance exercises targeting major muscle groups of upper and lower extremities.

Program Details:

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Frequency: 3 sessions per week
  • Session duration: 45-60 minutes
  • Setting: AL-Najaf Teaching Hospital

Exercise Components:

  • Warm-up exercises (10 minutes)
  • Resistance training using resistance bands, light weights, and body weight exercises (30-40 minutes)
  • Cool-down and stretching (10 minutes)

Progression Method:

  • Intensity starts at 40-50% of maximum capacity
  • Gradually increases to 60-70% over 6 weeks
  • Repetitions: 8-12 per set
  • Sets: 2-3 sets per exercise
  • Exercises adjusted based on individual tolerance and disease activity

Supervision: Trained physical therapist/nurse supervision with regular monitoring of pain levels, fatigue, and joint swelling.

The program is designed specifically for RA patients with mild to moderate
No Intervention: Control Group - Standard Care

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Muscle Strength from Baseline to 6 Weeks
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks post-intervention
Muscle strength will be measured using manual muscle testing or dynamometer for upper and lower extremities
Baseline and 6 weeks post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Kufa University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

April 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 1, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 26, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Kufa-2026-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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