The Effectiveness of Matrix Rhythm Therapy in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of matrix rhythm therapy in addition to exercise treatment on mobility, functionality, disease activity, presence of enthesitis, quality of life, biopsychosocial level, fatigue, sleep quality and exercise beliefs in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Method: Total of 7 AS patients, 3 women and 4 men, were included in the study. In addition to exercise treatment, matrix rhythm therapy was applied to patients with AS, 2 days a week for 6 weeks. Exercise treatment consisted of a total of 20 exercises aimed at increasing flexibility and muscle strength. Matrix rhythm therapy started from the thoracic region and progressed to the lumbar region and lower extremities. Mobility was evaluated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), functional limitations with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), disease activity with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the presence of enthesitis with Maastrich Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES), quality of life with Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQol), disease-related biopsychosocial level with Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ), fatigue with Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale (MAF), sleep quality with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), exercise beliefs with Exercise Beliefs Questionnaire. All evaluations were performed in approximately 60 minutes pre and post intervention. Results: When the data were analyzed, there was a significant difference in BASMI- intermalleolar distance (p:0.041), MAF (p:0.028) PSQI (p:0.046) Exercise Beliefs Questionnaire/ Benefit (p: 0.027) and Disadvantage (p:0.042) scores after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Conclusions: Matrix rhythm therapy applied in addition to exercise treatment increased hip abduction and sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and positively affected exercise-related beliefs in patients with AS.