To identify the effects of physical exercise on the immune system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus through a review of the literature.
A bibliographic review was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, employing the MeSH terms "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus," "Libman-Sacks Disease," "Physiotherapy," "Physical Therapy," "Exercise," "Physical Activity," "Physical Exercise," and "Immune System." Studies published in English that evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of exercise were selected.
A total of 623 studies were identified, with 323 duplicates removed. After the title and abstract screening phase, 14 articles were selected for full review, of which 5 met the inclusion criteria. These studies included interventions involving aerobic exercise and muscle strength training, which demonstrated a reduction in circulating proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-12.
The literature suggests that regular exercise presents a promising intervention to modulate the autoimmune and inflammatory response in patients with SLE, potentially improving their quality of life and mitigating the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
Further research on the immunomodulatory effects of exercise is essential to enable physical therapists to develop personalized exercise programs for patients with SLE. Additionally, this research highlights the importance of evidence-based practice, helping physiotherapy students understand the critical role of exercise in managing autoimmune diseases.
Physical therapy
Immunomodulation
