A study was undertaken to find out how to elevate the functional limitations of elderly patients suffering from arthritis by the researchers of Feinberg School of Medicine, US
5715 adults were taken in the study of age 65 yrs and old with arthritis. Functions, which were checked, were ability to do tasks pertaining to daily living and specialized activities of daily living that involved rigorous activities. Account was taken of other factors as well like health, behavior patterns, economic factors.The results showed that the functional decline was more for women; physical limitations due to arthritis of those who suffer from the disease affect about 15% of the women. Lack of physical activities seems to increase the risk of limitation in movements due to arthritis in these patients.
Severe form of arthritis often makes the patients unable to perform even the daily simple movements of walking and sitting down etc. One of the major costs of therapy for arthritis patients is the therapy to overcome limited motor abilities. The study results proved that by pursuing vigorous exercise routines could lessen the disability due to restricted movements.
The results of the study were published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
