Table 3

Effect sizes of head-to-head comparisons of different types of aerobic exercise on selected outcome variables

Outcome title post treatment

Number of studies

Number of patients

Effect size^a

Test for overall effect, P value

Heterogeneity, I²; τ² (%)

Moderate intensity versus low intensity

01 Pain

2

68

-0.08 (-1.41, 1.26)

0.91

78; 0.96

02 Depressed mood

2

68

-0.16 (-0.67, 0.13)

0.53

0; 0.

03 Physical fitness

2

68

0.25 (-0.26, 0.75)

0.34

0; 0

Land-based versus water based exercise

01 Pain

9

187

-0.13 (-0.80, 0.54)

0.08

0/0

02 Depressed mood

8

151

-0.44 (-0.88, 0.01)

0.05

71/0.22

^aStandardised mean difference (95% confidence interval).

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