Physical Therapy in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. The average time between symptom onset and diagnosis is seven years. Therefore, in this course you will first learn how to recognize axSpA, so you can refer someone with back problems (without diagnosis) and a suspicion of axSpA in time to a physician. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the large majority of axSpA patients use physical therapy during the course of their disease, but also that the majority of treatments are not in line with recommendations for physical therapy in axSpA. Therefore, this course will largely focus on how to apply these recommendations, including the execution of an axSpA-specific physical assessments and exercise therapy. Finally, you will learn how to provide patient education on exercise activities and how to guide behavior change in axSpA patients.

Learning objectives

· Disease information: Having knowledge on axSpA and being able to recognize its characteristics;

· Physical assessments: Being able to perform an axSpA-specific physical assessment;

· Treatment: Having an up-to-date knowledge on how to apply the recommended physical therapy treatment modalities in axSpA and being able to tailor a personal exercise program;

· Education: Having knowledge on adequate exercise advice for axSpA patients and being able to provide effective behavior change techniques in order to optimize exercise behavior.