Comprehensive elements of a physiotherapy exercise programme in haemophilia – a global perspective

Abstract

Exercise programmes for people with haemophilia are usually designed and implemented to help manage the recovery after a haemarthrosis or a muscle bleed, or as a tool to help prevent bleeding episodes from occurring. In this article, we have identified individual components of exercise that are often applied as separate entities, but may also need to be implemented in concert for optimized impact. Although it may be necessary on occasion to bias an exercise programme towards one component over the others, it is important to recognize that the various elements of exercise are not mutually exclusive. Decreased flexibility, strength and proprioception, will result in an impairment of balance and a loss of function. Programme design should whenever possible be guided by proven methodology in terms of how each component is incorporated, and more specifically how long to perform the exercise for and how many repetitions should be performed. We recognize, however, that this is not always possible and that there is significant value in drawing from the experience of clinicians with specialized training in the management of haemophilia. In this study, both perspectives are presented, providing reference-based reviews of the mechanics of the various elements of exercise as well as the expert opinions of the authors. Research that has been completed using patients with conditions other than haemophilia may or may not have a direct application with the bleeding disorders population, but the programme design based on principles of tissue healing in addition to disease specific knowledge should be encouraged.