Authors
Henrik Pettersson, Women's Health and Allied Health Professionals, Medical Unit Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicin, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Helene Alexanderson, Women's Health and Allied Health Professionals, Medical Unit Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicin, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Janet L. Poole, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Janos Varga, Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Malin Regardt, Women's Health and Allied Health Professionals, Medical Unit Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Occupational Therapy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Anne-Marie Russell, University of Exeter, College of Medicine and Health, Exeter, UK; National Institute of Health Research, Senior Nurse Research Leader, London, UK
Yasser Salam, Department of Physical Therapy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Kelly Jensen, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA; New Orleans Scleroderma and Sarcoidosis Patient Care and Research Center, New Orleans, USA; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA
Jennifer Mansour, New Orleans Scleroderma and Sarcoidosis Patient Care and Research Center, New Orleans, USA; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA
Tracy Frech, Vanderbilt University, Division of Rheumatology, Nashville, TN, USA
Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
Cecília Varjú, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Pécs Clinical Center, Pecs, Hungary
Nancy Baldwin, Scleroderma Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA
Matty Heenan, Scleroderma Foundation/Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Tucson, AZ, USA
Kim Fligelstone, Scleroderma & Raynaud Society UK (SRUK), London, UK; Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Monica Holmner, The Swedish Rheumatism Association National Association for Systemic Sclerosis, Sweden
Matthew R. Lammi, New Orleans Scleroderma and Sarcoidosis Patient Care and Research Center, New Orleans, USA; University Medical Center - Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center and Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic Programs, New Orleans, USA; Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary Medicine, New Orleans, USA
Mary Beth Scholand, University of Utah, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Pulmonary Fibrosis Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Lee Shapiro, Division of Rheumatology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA; Steffens Scleroderma Foundation, Albany, NY, USA
Elizabeth R. Volkmann, University of California, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Scleroderma Program and UCLA CTD-ILD Program, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Lesley Ann Saketkoo, New Orleans Scleroderma and Sarcoidosis Patient Care and Research Center, New Orleans, USA; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA; University Medical Center - Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center and Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic Programs, New Orleans, USA; Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary Medicine, New Orleans, USA
Publication Date
9-1-2021
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous multisystem autoimmune disease whereby its main pathological drivers of disability and damage are vascular injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. These mechanisms result in diffuse and diverse impairments arising from ischemic circulatory dysfunction leading to painful skin ulceration and calcinosis, neurovascular aberrations hindering gastrointestinal (GI) motility, progressive painful, incapacitating or immobilizing effects of inflammatory and fibrotic effects on the lungs, skin, articular and periarticular structures, and muscle. SSc-related impairments impede routine activities of daily living (ADLs) and disrupt three critical life areas: work, family, social/leisure, and also impact on psychological well-being. Physical activity and exercise are globally recommended; however, for connective tissue diseases, this guidance carries greater impact on inflammatory disease manifestations, recovery, and cardiovascular health. Exercise, through myogenic and vascular phenomena, naturally targets key pathogenic drivers by downregulating multiple inflammatory and fibrotic pathways in serum and tissue, while increasing circulation and vascular repair. G-FoRSS, The Global Fellowship on Rehabilitation and Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis recognizes the scientific basis of and advocates for education and research of exercise as a systemic and targeted SSc disease-modifying treatment. An overview of biophysiological mechanisms of physical activity and exercise are herein imparted for patients, clinicians, and researchers, and applied to SSc disease mechanisms, manifestations, and impairment. A preliminary guidance on exercise in SSc, a research agenda, and the current state of research and outcome measures are set forth.
Publication Title
Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology
DOI
10.1016/j.berh.2021.101695
Recommended Citation
Pettersson H, Alexanderson H, Poole JL, Varga J, Regardt M, Russell AM, Salam Y, Jensen K, Mansour J, Frech T, Feghali-Bostwick C, Varjú C, Baldwin N, Heenan M, Fligelstone K, Holmner M, Lammi MR, Scholand MB, Shapiro L, Volkmann ER, Saketkoo LA. Exercise as a multi-modal disease-modifying medicine in systemic sclerosis: An introduction by The Global Fellowship on Rehabilitation and Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis (G-FoRSS). Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2021 Sep;35(3):101695. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2021.101695. Epub 2021 Jul 1. PMID: 34217607; PMCID: PMC8478716.
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