Smartphone-assisted high-intensity interval training in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) experience disease-related barriers to physical training. Compared with the general population, IRD patients are reported to have reduced maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and physical activity levels. Supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is documented to counteract the reduced VO2maxand poor cardiovascular health associated with IRDs. However, supervised HIIT is resource demanding. Objective: This study sought to investigate if self-administered 4×4-min HIIT guided by a smartphone app (Myworkout GO) could yield similar HIIT-induced effects as standard 4×4-min HIIT performed under the guidance and supervision of health care professionals. The effects studied were on VO2maxand health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: Forty patients (33 female patients, mean age 48 years, SD 12 years; 7 male patients, mean age 52 years, SD 11 years) diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus were randomized to a supervised group (SG) or an app group (AG). Both groups were instructed to perform 4×4-min intervals with a rate of perceived exertion of 16 to 17, corresponding to 85% to 95% of the maximal heart rate, twice a week for 10 weeks. Treadmill VO2maxand HRQoL measured using RAND-36 were assessed before and after the exercise period. Results: VO2maxincreased (P