Purpose: To determine if exercise programs are being incorporated into routine practice among individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and if so, how this course of treatment is affecting physical and mental health. Subjects: 103/300 surveys were returned. Four surveys were omitted. In total, 99 subjects with SLE participated. Methodology: The survey included questions regarding demographic characteristics, exercise habits and health status as measured by the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (RAND 36). Data analysis included a t-test, Pearson correlations, cross-tabulations, and chi-square analysis. Alpha level was set at .05 for all analyses. Results: 70% reported to exercise. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between disease history and exercise habits. Subjects diagnosed with SLE over five years ago were more likely to exercise. Two-tailed t-test revealed significant differences between mean scores of exercisers and non-exercisers. Exercisers scored significantly higher on six subscales of the RAND 36. Pearson correlations showed a significant positive relationship between exercise frequency and RAND scores, as well as exercise duration and RAND scores. Conclusion: The health status of subjects who exercise was superior to that of non-exercisers.
| Date of Award | Jan 1 1998 |
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| Original language | English |
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