Table 2

Effect sizes of aerobic and mixed exercise on selected outcome variables

Outcome title

Number of study arms

Number of patients on aerobic exercise

Effect size^a

Test for overall effect P value

Heterogeneity, I²; τ² (%)

Post treatment

01 Pain

29

567

-0.31 (-0.46, -0.17)

<0.001

26; 0.03

02 Fatigue

16

364

-0.22 (-0.38, -0.05)

0.009

9; 0.01

03 Sleep

9

184

0.01 (-0.19, 0.21)

0.92

0; 0

04 Depressed mood

19

456

-0.32 (-0.53, -0.12)

0.002

51; 0.10

05 HRQOL

25

526

-0.40 (-0.60, -0.20)

<0.001

63/0.15

06 Physical fitness

20

339

0.65 (0.38, 0.93)

<0.001

71/0.20

Latest follow-up

01 Pain

9

187

-0.13 (-0.80, 0.54)

0.08

0/0

02 Fatigue

4

93

-0.23 (-0.62, 0.17)

0.26

42/0.07

03 Sleep

4

84

0.17 (-0.14, 0.47)

0.28

0/0

04 Depressed mood

8

151

-0.44 (-0.88, 0.01)

0.05

71/0.22

05 HRQOL

8

221

-0.27 (-0.48, -0.05)

0.02

14/0.01

06 Physical fitness

5

99

0.65 (0.35, 0.96)

<0.001

0/0

HRQOL: health-related quality of life. ^aStandardised mean difference (95% confidence interval).

Häuser et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2010 12:R79   doi:10.1186/ar3002