Taekwondo for Axial Spondyloarthritis

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Taekwondo training works to help adults with ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis. It will also learn about the safety of Taekwondo training for these adults. The main questions are as follows: * Will Taekwondo training affect disease activity, functional improvement, and quality of life? * Will there be a difference between adults who participate in Taekwondo training and adults who continue with their usual treatment? * Is Taekwondo training safe for adults with ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis, and will it be an appropriate exercise for these adults? * Is there a possibility to develop a structured Taekwondo-based exercise program for adults with musculoskeletal disorders? Participants will: * Be a part of the Taekwondo training group or the control group for 12 weeks (where the control group will later participate in the same 12 week Taekwondo for comparison) * Be assessed within 2 weeks before the start of the training * Be assessed within 1 week after completing the training

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) according to the ASAS classification criteria.
2. Age: Between 19 and 59 years old.
3. Stable medication or non-medication treatment:

   * Patients whose medication regimen has remained stable for at least the past 3 months.
   * Patients who have not taken medication for axSpA for at least the past 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the following conditions:

1. History of orthopedic surgery or fractures within the past 12 months.
2. History of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or stroke.
3. Advanced ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis, as confirmed by radiographic or CT imaging:

   \- Complete ankylosis of at least two regions of the cervical, lumbar, or thoracic spine (i.e., continuous syndesmophyte formation or complete ossification between vertebral bodies).
4. Presence of other musculoskeletal abnormalities or conditions that may limit exercise performance.
5. Diagnosis of cancer within the past 5 years
6. Pregnancy
7. Regular exercise participation within the past 6 months (defined as exercising for at least 60 minutes per session, three or more times per week).
8. Major changes in medication for axial spondyloarthritis during the study period, including:

   1. Initiation or discontinuation of biologic agents or targeted therapies.
   2. Significant changes in the continued use of NSAIDs or sulfasalazine.
   3. Significant changes in the continued use of systemic glucocorticoids.

Conditions3

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