FRI0700-HPR lessons learnded from pilot implementation of physical activity recommendations in AXSPA exercise group therapy : less may be more

Background The Ankylosing Spondylitis Association of Switzerland (SVMB) offers 68 exercise groups (EG) for people with axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Participants exercise weekly with focus on strength and flexibility supervised by a physiotherapist (PT). Given the EULAR physical activity (PA) recommendations [1] and recent research [2, 3], the SVMB aims to further develop the concept of their EG by introducing: a) exercises in all dimensions, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and neuromotor performance, according to the general PA recommendations [4]; b) individual exercise-coaching (three sessions in first six months) by the group PT, specifically trained in communication and action planning skills to support individual exercising, and c) bi-annual fitness-assessments for all exercise dimensions. Objectives To evaluate the new EG concept among the participating people with axSpA and PTs across four pilot groups. Methods After six months, a survey on the perception and satisfaction towards the new EG concept was sent to 30 people with axSpA, who rated the questions on a 0-10 numeric rating scale (0=not satisfied, 10=very satisfied). Semi-structured telephone-interviews were conducted with the PTs to explore their experiences with the new GE concept. People with axSpA: The survey’s response rate was 83% (25/30); of these, 15 (62%) participants were satisfied with the concept (mean 6.7±2.23) and 20 (80%) with the exercise-coaching (mean 7.7±2.92). 22 (88%) individuals defined a training goal and 15 (60%) achieved it. The exercise diary was used by 16 (64%) participants, five reported app-based. Reasons for not using the diary were the daily effort and problems with correctly allocating activities to exercise dimensions. A minority (n=7, 28%) reported to use a technical device for cardiovascular exercising. 17 (68%) were satisfied with the fitness-assessment (mean 7.5±1.78). PTs perceived the exercise-coaching as very useful for supporting indi