Novel Exercise May Aid Rheumatoid Arthritis Outcomes

TUESDAY, July 8, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A novel form of upper- and lower-body exercise, blood flow-restricted resistance training (BFR-RT), improves outcomes with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to research recently published in Disability and Rehabilitation.

Hunter Bennett, Ph.D., from the University of South Australia in Adelaide, and colleagues assessed the acceptability and impact of a progressive upper- and lower-body BFR-RT intervention. The analysis included a cross-sectional survey examining exercise preferences of 97 people with RA and a single-group trial of 12 participants.

The researchers found that people with RA preferred BFR-RT if it was supervised by an exercise professional, was no more than three sessions per week, and began with low-to-moderate intensity. The BFR-RT trial aligned with the survey results and had high acceptability, with 100 percent of participants liking the program and 81 percent adhering to the sessions. The trial showed significant improvements in strength, functional lower extremity-related physical performance, and perceived pain. There were no improvements in quality of life noted.

“This kind of training could be a game changer for people with rheumatoid arthritis,” Bennett said in a statement. “It offers a way to build strength and reduce pain without pushing through discomfort — and that”s incredibly empowering for people who”ve often been limited by their condition.”

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