Resistance Exercise Program on the Functionality of Individuals With Chikungunya Fever

Effect of a Resistance Exercise Program on the Functionality of Individuals With Chikungunya Fever: Randomized Clinical Trial

Common symptoms of chikungunya fever are persistent arthritis and arthralgia, such symptoms can lead to impairment in functionality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a resistance exercise protocol on the functionality of individuals with chronic musculoskeletal manifestations of Chikungunya fever. Quality of life, number of painful joints, intensity of pain, number of recurrence of exacerbation and thermography are secondary outcomes that will also be evaluated. The protocol uses elastic resistance to strengthen muscle groups that stabilize the main joints affected by Chikungunya Fever. The sessions will be 2 times a week for 12 weeks. The control group will not be submitted to the intervention during the 12 weeks, being contacted through telephone calls. After the reevaluation at the end of the 12 weeks the control group will perform the same protocol. The sample will be characterized and the effect size and the mean difference will be calculated. Intention-to-treat analysis and rate of adherence will also be calculated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Chikungunya fever for more than three months
• Present musculoskeletal symptoms after infection (eg, arthritis or arthralgia)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive deficit that compromises the understanding and accomplishment of the protocol (MiniMental<24);
• Self-reported disease that contraindicates the performance of research procedures (eg, unstable angina);
• Self-reported diagnosis of neurological disease;
• Prior self-reported diagnosis of other inflammatory or autoimmune rheumatic diseases or fibromyalgia;
• Pregnancy;
• Physical impairment that prevents arrival to the research site or execution of the exercises (eg, use of walking devices);
• Execution of other physiotherapeutic treatments during the research period;
• Regular practice of physical exercises in other places during the period of participation in the research.