Investigating the benefits of exercise in patients with psoriasis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the therapeutic benefits of exercise in patients with psoriasis.
IRAS ID
287230
Contact name
Helen Young
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects more than 1 million people in the UK and may contribute to an
increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) / metabolic syndrome through its detrimental effects on lifestyle and
behaviour. Obesity is associated with increased risk of developing psoriasis and body mass index correlates with clinical severity of psoriasis. In a PhD studentship funded by The Psoriasis Association we previously identified that patients with psoriasis do not exercise to the extent recommended for cardiovascular health and that this further increases their psoriasis-specific risk of CVD and metabolic syndrome. We also identified several key psoriasis-specific barriers to exercise, which significantly limit the ability of suffers to follow currently available exercise programmes and to benefit from health-promoting levels of physical activity. Others have shown that exercise may have utility in reducing the extent and severity of psoriasis.Regular exercise offers significant health benefits for patients with psoriasis – psoriasis control; weight management,
reduced CVD / metabolic syndrome risk; and increased wellbeing and psychosocial functioning. To address this we have developed a 10-week, exercise programme for patients with psoriasis, designed in partnership with patients, that aims to remove barriers that prohibit physical activity in the psoriasis population. This translational proposal will
investigate the therapeutic value of our exercise programme, in patients with psoriasis and determine the mechanism by which the “exercise effect” is brought about. It is hoped this work will enhance the opportunity to offer personalised treatment for psoriasis management in future.This cohort study is funded by The Psoriasis Association as a PhD studentship. It will recruit patients with Type 1 chronic plaque psoriasis (onset before age 40 years) with/without psoriatic arthritis, to participate in a 10 week exercise programme followed by a 10 week observation period. Assessment of psoriasis severity, cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing will be made throughout the study.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0443
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion