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. 2019 Dec 9;3(2):rkz044. doi: 10.1093/rap/rkz044

Table 3.

Results of exercise interventions of included studies

 First author, year, country [reference] Primary outcomes at baseline Adherence, % Results
Hand exercises
Piga, 2014, Italy [44]

  • E: HAQ: 1.49

  • Dreiser’s index: 13.9

  • HAMIS right hand: 5.2

  • HAMIS left hand: 4.7

  • C: HAQ: 1.56

  • Dreiser’s index: 14.0

  • HAMIS right hand: 4.7

  • HAMIS left Hand: 2.2

 93.4 (range 71.4–98.8) The experimental group showed significant improvements in Dreiser’s index (13.9–7.7), HAQ (1.49–0.81) and the HAMIS (right hand: 5.2–3.3; left hand: 4.7–2.2) over time, but differences between groups were not significant (change over time in control group for Dreiser’s index: 14.0–9.50; HAQ: 1.56–1.09; HAMIS right hand: 4.7–3.2; HAMIS left hand: 2.2–1.7).
Landim, 2017, Brazil [41]

  • Pain visual analog scale: 3.97

  • Cochin hand function scale: 19.24

 Not determinable Significant improvements in hand pain measured by visual analog scale (3.97 vs 2.21, P = 0.0022), Cochin hand function scale (19.24 vs 12.48, scleroderma HAQ (0.95 vs 0.48 and handgrip strength improved (14.43 vs 19.00)
Orofacial exercises
Yuen, 2011, USA [13]

  • Oral aperture (mm)

  • E: 27.4

  • C: 32.4

  • P = 0.049 between groups

 48.9 (s.d. = 32.6)

  • In 3 months, the experimental group showed a significantly larger change (i.e. increase) in the size of oral aperture compared with the control group (2.81 vs −0.61 mm). This effect did not last at the 6-month evaluation (2.75 vs 2.33 mm).

  • There was a significant difference in the overall change of the oral aperture size in the orofacial exercise group (2.75 mm) but not the no-exercise group (2.33 mm)
Pizzo, 2003, Italy [11] Maximal mouth opening (mm): 26 100 The maximum mouth opening improved significantly from 26 to 36.7 mm after the intervention
Aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises
Mitropoulos, 2018, United Kingdom [42]

  • VO2peak (ml/kg/min):

  • E1: 17.7

  • E2: 14.6

  • C: 14.3

  • E1 (arm crank): 92

  • E2 (cycle ergometry): 88

  • In both intervention groups, values of VO2peak were greater post-exercise intervention compared with the control group (significantly for the arm crank group).

  • Both intervention groups reported improved quality of life
Mitropoulos, 2019, United Kingdom [43]

  • VO2peak (ml/kg/min):

  • E: 20.6

  • C: 15.7

 Not determinable VO2peak was significantly greater in the exercise group (25.6±7.2 ml/kg/min) compared with the control group after the exercise intervention
Oliveira, 2009, Brazil [23]

  • VO2peak (ml/kg/min): 19.72

  • Metabolic equivalent: 5.63

 100 Significant improvement in VO2peak (19.72 vs 22.27), peak exercise oxygen saturation (84.14 vs 90.29) and metabolic equivalent 95.63–6.36)
Pinto, 2011, Brazil [12]

  • Highest exercise load of leg press: 67 kg; and bench press 47 kg

  • VO2peak: 21.6 ml/kg/min

 Not determinable Significant improvement in muscle strength and function, time to exhaustion, heart rate at rest, and the workload and time of exercise at ventilatory thresholds and peak of exercise
Alexanderson, 2014, Sweden [27] 6 min walk test at baseline unknown 98

  • No patient showed a statically significant change in physical walking distance during the 6 min walk test.

  • Three patients significantly improved with respect to muscular endurance concerning hip and shoulder flexion.

  • Aerobic capacity measured by treadmill test improved in one patient statistically significant and clinically significant in one patient.

  • Reduced fatigue measured by visual analog scale in three patients.

C = control group; E: experimental group; HAMIS: HAnd Mobility in Scleroderma; VO2peak: peak oxygen consumption.