{
  "abstract": "Objectives This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of exercise interventions on key health outcomes in adults with SLE, including fatigue, physical function, aerobic capacity, disease activity, depression and pain.Methods Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched four databases up to February 2025 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults diagnosed with SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) criteria. Eligible studies examined aerobic, resistance or combined exercise as the sole intervention. Meta-analyses were conducted using Hedges’ g, the Risk of Bias 2 (ROB-2) tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system used to assess bias and evidence quality.Results Twelve RCTs involving 470 participants were included. Exercise showed small-to-moderate improvements in fatigue (g=−0.53, 95% CI −0.81 to −0.25, p<0.001), physical function (g=0.46, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.68, p<0.001), aerobic capacity (g=0.47, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.71, p<0.001), depression (g=−0.36, 95% CI −0.64 to −0.09, p=0.01) and pain (g=−0.53, 95% CI −0.86 to −0.20, p<0.001), with no significant change in disease activity (g=0.18, 95% CI −0.16 to 0.51, p=0.30). Subgroup analyses suggested greater benefits with moderate-intensity programmes lasting 8–12 weeks. GRADE rated the evidence as moderate for fatigue, physical function, depression and pain, and low for other outcomes.Conclusion Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological therapy in SLE management, improving several physical and psychological outcomes. Individualised, moderate-intensity and supervised programmes are recommended. Further research should optimise intervention protocols and evaluate long-term safety.PROSPERO registration number CRD420251115953",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Zehui He"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Shuqi Jia"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Mengsi Chen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Xinxin Shi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Lunuo Hu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China",
        "Shanghai Key Laboratory of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Fei Li"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China",
        "Research Institute for Doping Control, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Hui Shi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "David C Nieman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China",
        "Shanghai Key Laboratory of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China"
      ],
      "name": "Yue Shi"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Effects of exercise interventions on core health outcomes in patients with SLE: systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "uid": "346f7e95-1827-5b91-84c8-ac9fdbb0b595"
}