THE EFFECTS OF KINESITHERAPY ON FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS (MUSCLE STRENGTH AND RANGE OF MOTION) IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. This condition leads to a significant deterioration of functional capacity and a reduced quality of life for patients. Kinesitherapy represents a non-pharmacological alternative in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, playing a crucial role in maintaining muscle strength and joint mobility. These factors are known to improve the lives of these patients.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured 12-week kinesitherapy program on improving functional parameters such as range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The study included 30 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of RA. Patients were evaluated before and after the therapy, with functional parameters of muscle strength measured using the manual muscle strength scale (0-5), and ROM measured in degrees using a goniometer.The statistical results showed a significant improvement in both parameters. The average muscle strength increased from 3.32 (±0.73) to 4.14 (±1.05), while the average ROM increased from 39.06° (±13.91°) to 46.88° (±18.06°). These findings highlight that a structured kinesitherapy program contributes to increased strength and joint flexibility. The improvement in functional capacities significantly impacts the increase in independence and a reduction in disability among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests the integration of kinesitherapy into multidisciplinary treatment programs for RA. For confirmation of these results and for determining long-term effects, further research with control groups and a larger sample size is needed.