EXercise Therapy in Axial SpA and Inflammation (ExTASI)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exercise as an anti‐inflammatory treatment in Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA): a proof of concept study (ExTASI).
IRAS ID
268333
Contact name
Nicolette Bishop
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Loughborough University
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Over 200,000 people in the UK have axial spondyloarthritis. In 80% of cases the condition begins in the second or third decade of life. Exercise is encouraged as an essential treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), with the potential to both promote well-being, increase flexibility and range of movement, improve posture and reduce stiffness and pain. axSpA is an inflammatory arthritis and raised levels of indicators (‘markers’) of this inflammatory process (e.g. CRP) can be detected in the blood of patients. These markers are released as a consequence of the condition, but some, such as TNF-alpha, also promote further disease development. In other inflamed patient groups we have shown that regular exercise (brisk walking) can lower the levels of these pro-inflammatory markers in the blood and increase levels of anti-inflammatory markers, independently of weight loss. Despite axSpA being an inflammatory condition with prescribed medication focused on reducing inflammation there are no studies that have assessed the potential of exercise as an anti-inflammatory treatment in axSpA. This research will investigate the effect of 12 weeks of a home-based walking exercise intervention on measures of systemic inflammation and body composition, well-being and measures of disease activity using established and validated methods in 10 axSpA patients and compare this group with 10 patients who carry on with their normal levels of activity. This proof-of-concept study will determine the potential of exercise as an additional anti-inflammatory treatment for patients with axSpA.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0308
Date of REC Opinion
29 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion