PMID 33976463

Research
All papers

High-intensity interval training can improve hand grip strength, inspiratory muscle, and quality of life in systemic sclerosis subjects

Defi IR, Gultom C, Chorman MJ, Jennie J

Question

Can 12 weeks of supervised HIIT improve functional capacity, inspiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength, and quality of life in people with systemic sclerosis?

Summary

In 11 women with systemic sclerosis, a 12-week supervised HIIT program improved inspiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength, walking performance/METs, and several quality-of-life symptom scales, while blood pressure and pulse did not significantly change. The study had no control group and was very small.

Methodology

  • Women with systemic sclerosis receiving routine rheumatology care.
  • 11 participants.
  • Arm crank or cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 30 s.
  • Recovery: 30 s passive recovery.
  • Intensity: 100% peak power output.
  • 35 min.
  • 2 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Quasi-experimental single-arm pre-post study
  • Inspiratory strength, Handgrip, Walking performance, and Quality of life were tracked.

Outcomes

SNIP

Inspiratory muscle strength improved.

45.67 to 54.25 cm H2O, p=0.0041.

Improved

Handgrip

Handgrip strength improved.

13.14 to 15.63 lbs, p=0.0031.

Improved

Walking

Walking performance and METs improved, though table labeling of walking speed/distance is unclear.

Walking measure 184.70 to 246.60, p=0.0039; METs 3.53 to 4.21, p=0.0039.

Improved

SHAQ symptoms

Pain, digestive, pulmonary, Raynaud, digital ulcer, and severity VAS scores improved.

All listed symptom domains p<=0.0051; SHAQ-DI p=0.0571.

Improved

Vitals

Blood pressure and pulse did not significantly change.

SBP p=0.8125; DBP p=0.5625; pulse p=0.1275.

No clear change

Insights

  • Clinical HIIT evidence here is feasibility-oriented and requires supervision.
  • 30:30 intervals can be individualized to peak power in a clinic.
  • Do not generalize to systemic sclerosis patients with excluded cardiopulmonary complications.

Limitations

  • Very small sample
  • No control group
  • All women
  • Clinical population with exclusions
  • No long-term follow-up
  • Walking outcome label/value inconsistency

Safety

  • No explicit adverse-event list was reported.
  • Blood pressure and pulse did not significantly change.
  • Participants with ILD, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and NYHA class 3/4 were excluded.