Physical Activity Interventions in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: Children with juvenile arthritis (JA) experience pain, stiffness, fatigue, and decreased motion leading to difficulties with daily activities and low physical activity (PA). PA is critical to improve health and function and mitigate JA-associated symptoms. This study evaluated the evidence for PA interventions in children with JA. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PA interventions in children with JA was conducted. Ovid (Medline), Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched for papers published in English between 1/1/1946 and 9/1/2021. Studies which concurrently assessed medical interventions were excluded. Participant and intervention characteristics and outcomes were extracted. Study internal validity and intervention attributes were assessed. Results: A total of 555 studies were identified, with 13 studies from 10 countries included. Data from 672 children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (range of mean ages, 8.7 to 16.1 years) were analyzed. Fifty-two percent of intervention arms incorporated strengthening exercise alone or combined with other exercise, with 61.9% performed 3x/week. About 43.5% of sessions lasted >45 to <= 60 minutes and 65.2% of programs were >= 12 to <28 weeks. PA interventions improved function and symptoms without adverse events. Intervention details were missing especially regarding PA intensity, reasons for dropouts, and adherence. Only two studies incorporated strategies to promote adherence. Discussion: RCTs of PA interventions in JA only include JIA. Available RCTs used mixed modes of interventions. Reporting of PA interventions lacks sufficient detail to discern the dose-response relationship. Strategies to motivate engagement in PA and to support families to promote PA are lacking, as are studies of long-term outcomes. Conclusion: There are limited RCTs of PA interventions in JIA. Adherence was better with low intensity programs. PA interventions for JIA yield positive health benefits but better reporting of PA intervention details is needed to generate more high-quality evidence and inform clinical practice.