Interoception and physical activity engagement amongst people with axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis

Research overview

There is evidence of a dynamic relationship between physical activity and interoception, whereby interoceptive processes help regulate exertion during physical activity, and in turn physical activity supports the processing of internal bodily signals (Wallman-Jones; 2021). Nevertheless, most of this data come from studies on healthy population.

Introduction

Patients with inflammatory arthritis, including axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), are more prone to physical inactivity than the general population. One-third to one-half of axSpA patients do not meet the recommended level of physical activity [Liu, Arthritis Rheum. 2020].

In AxSpA, increased physical activity leads to improved physical function and reduced fatigue and disease-related activity [Regnaux, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; Ortolan, Ann Rheum Dis 2023]. Thus, physical activity is a key component of clinical practice guidelines for the management of axSpA patients [Ramiro, Ann Rheum Dis 2022].

Understanding the relationship between interoception awareness and levels of physical activity in patients with axSpA could offer an insight on the use of further interception interventions (i.e., mind-body interventions) to increase engagement with physical activity.