Effect of Moderate to High Intensity Aerobic Interval Training on Polysomnographic Measured Sleep in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances are common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and are associated with an increased risk of co-morbidity and all-cause mortality.Few studies have examined the possibilities of improving sleep in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the focus has primarily been on medical treatment. Aerobic exercise training constitutes a potentially promising, non-pharmacological alternative to improve sleep. This study is a randomized controlled trial of 44 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim is to investigate the effect of a moderate-to-high intensity aerobic interval training intervention on sleep quality and sleep disturbances in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The primary hypothesis is that moderate-to high intensity aerobic exercise will improve objective measured sleep quality and sleep disturbances. The secondary hypothesis is that the intervention may improve fitness, subjective sleep quality and physical function as well as reduce pain, fatigue, depressive symptoms and improve health-related quality of life.