PMID 30402265

Research
All papers

Effect of high-intensity interval training on cardiovascular disease risk factors and body composition in psoriatic arthritis: a randomised controlled trial

Thomsen RS, Nilsen TIL, Haugeberg G, Bye A, Kavanaugh A, Hoff M

Question

Does 11 weeks of HIIT improve cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular risk factors, and body composition in adults with psoriatic arthritis?

Summary

This randomized controlled trial tested 11 weeks of HIIT in adults with psoriatic arthritis. Participants did two supervised stationary-bike HIIT sessions and one self-guided HIIT session each week. Compared with controls, HIIT substantially improved VO2max and reduced truncal fat at 3 months, with VO2max benefits still evident at 9 months. Disease activity was reported as stable in related work; one participant left because the intervention felt too hard after a previous stroke, and no other adverse events were reported.

Methodology

  • Adults with psoriatic arthritis fulfilling CASPAR criteria, not already doing regular vigorous endurance exercise.
  • 61 participants.
  • Stationary cycling plus self-guided endurance exercise.
  • Work intervals: 4 min.
  • Recovery: 3 min active recovery.
  • Intensity: 85-95% HRmax, recovery at 70% HRmax.
  • Approximately 35-40 min.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 11 weeks.
  • Parallel-group randomized controlled trial.
  • VO2max, Truncal fat percentage, and Safety and disease activity were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2max

HIIT substantially improved VO2max compared with control at 3 months and effect remained evident at 9 months.

Between-group difference at 3 months 3.72 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 2.38 to 5.06; authors state 13.5% HIIT increase.

Improved

Truncal fat percentage

HIIT reduced truncal fat compared with control at 3 months.

Between-group difference -1.28 percentage points, 95% CI -2.51 to -0.05.

Improved

Safety

One participant left because the intervention was too hard due to prior-stroke sequelae; no other adverse events were reported.

Mixed

Insights

  • 4 x 4 HIIT has strong protocol detail and can improve VO2max in a screened inflammatory arthritis population.
  • Self-guided HIIT may not reach the same intensity as supervised HIIT.
  • Clinical pages should mention that unstable cardiovascular and severe pulmonary disease were excluded.

Limitations

  • Small sample.
  • Clinical special population.
  • Control was not attention-matched.
  • Self-guided session intensity was only moderate on average.
  • Follow-up exercise behavior was less controlled.

Safety

  • One HIIT participant left because sequelae after a previous stroke made the intervention too hard.
  • No other adverse events were reported during the intervention.