Does group exercise program add anything more to patients with ankylosing spondylitis?

Objective: To compare group exercise program performed at hospital with home exercise pogram in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and to observe the efficacy of type of exercises. Patients and method: Forty-six patients with ankylosing spondylitis were enrolled into this prospective, randomized, comparative, open clinical trial. The first group performed instructed exercises at home for 6 months whereas the second group did the same exercises at the hospital for 2 hours weekly under the observation of a physiotherapist for 3 months. Three and 6 months after; pain at rest (VAS) and during activity, spinal mobility, functional capacity were evaluated. Results: In group 1 significant improvement was observed at rest and during activity pain (p < 0.005). Functinal improvement was better in the second group within 3 months. Since group 1 had a good range of cervical rotation, group 2 improved better (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Spinal ranges of motion, functional status, depression and quality of life improved in group 2 patients remarkably. Group exercise had a decreasing effect on pain, activity of disease and fatigue. While home exercises improved spinal activity, it had no effect on functional status, disease activity, depression and fatigue.