Combined High-Intensity Aerobic Training and Resistance Training in Psoriatic Arthritis

NCT07352696 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Vastra Gotaland record 286312
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 88
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week intervention comprising high-intensity interval aerobic training and strength training on cardiovascular function, metabolic health profile and inflammation in patients with Psoriatic arthritis. A secondary goal is to assess the intervention´s impact on physical fitness, pain, fatigue, and health-related quality of life, and to explore long-term maintenance of exercise following completion of the intervention. We hypothesize that 12 weeks of combined high-intensity interval aerobic training and strength training will improve cardiometabolic health, inflammation, and enhance physical fitness, fatigue, pain and quality of life in Psoriatic arthritis.

Conditions

Psoriatic Arthritis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Cardiopulmonary function

  Change in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2ml/min/kg). Higher value indicate better cardiorespiratory capacity.

  Baseline and 3 month

• Cardiopulmonary function

  Change in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2ml/min/kg). Higher value indicate better cardiorespiratory capacity)

  Baseline and 9 month

Secondary Outcomes (59)

• Waist circumference

  Baseline and 3 months

• Waist circumference

  Baseline and 9 months

• Body mass index (BMI)

  Baseline and 3 months

• Body mass index (BMI)

  Baseline and 9 months

• Body composition

  Baseline and 3 months

Study Arms (2)

Exercise group

EXPERIMENTAL

Cardiorespiratory and strength training, 2-3 sessions per week for a total of 12 weeks.

Behavioral: Exercise program

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Care as usual, plus individualized counseling for health-promoting physical activity

Interventions

Exercise program BEHAVIORAL

The exercise program includes two supervised sessions per week combining high-intensity interval training and strength training, plus one additional non-supervised aerobic session. The target of the high intensity intervals is 90%-95% of heart rate maximum. The strength training of major muscle groups includes 2-3 sets of 8-10 repetitions.

Exercise group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Psoriatic arthritis disease according to the CASPAR (Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis) criteria
• Age range 18-65 years

You may not qualify if:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Severe hypertension
• Diabetes type I
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other severe pulmonary diseases
• Arthroplasty of large joints, lower extremities
• Severe functional impairment precluding participation in high-intensity aerobic exercise
• Inability to perform a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)
• Pregnancy
• BMI ≥35 kg/m²
• Ongoing or planned initiation (within 3 months) of structured weight reduction therapy, pharmacological obesity treatment, or bariatric bypass surgery
• Already participating in regular exercise at high intensity (BORG ≥15) for \>1 hour/ week during the past 6 months
• Inability to understand and read Swedish

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Vastra Gotaland Region: lead

Study Sites (2)

Sahlgrenska University hospital

Gothenburg, Sweden

Location

Skaraborgs sjukvård, Skövde

Skövde, Sweden

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Psoriatic

Interventions

Resistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spondylarthropathies; Spondylarthritis; Spondylitis; Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Psoriasis; Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Annelie Bilberg, Assoc. Prof.

  Sahlgrenska University hospital, Gothenburg

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Annelie Bilberg, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

+4631-3421195; annelie.bilberg@vgregion.se

Eva Klingberg, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

eva.klingberg@vgregion.se

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Single blinded
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Treatment versus care as usual

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 15, 2025
• First Posted: January 20, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2028
• Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: The data will become available as following, starting 6 months after publication and end 5 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: The requests will be reviewed by the P.I. and the steering committee. Study plans on meta-analyses generating new knowledge on exercise in persons with rheumatic diseases will be approved.

Locations

SE (2)