Table 2 Between-group differences in primary and secondary continuous outcomes at baseline and at the end of the RCT phase

Active joints, no.

6.1 (3.7)

4.1 (3.0)

4.5 (1.7)

1.4 (2.4)

0.0002

Tender joints, no.

10.6 (6.8)

7.8 (7.9)

6.7 (3.1)

1.0 (2.0)

0.0001

Swollen joints, no.

6.5 (3.6)

4.5 (3.0)

5.0 (2.0)

1.5 (2.4)

0.0003

Tender entheses, no.

9.2 (4.8)

7.1 (5.9)

9.5 (9.7)

1.4 (2.3)

0.004

CHAQ score, 0–3

2.0 (0.5)

2.0 (0.4)

1.9 (0.5)

1.6 (0.8)

0.1

BASDAI score, 0–10

6.1 (1.9)

5.5 (1.8)

5.5 (2.5)

3.4 (2.3)

0.07

BASFI score, 0–10

5.4 (2.6)

4.9 (2.0)

5.5 (2.8)

3.0 (2.8)

0.12

hsCRP level, mg/dl

30.1 (23.4)

19.7 (17.3)

23.1 (9.5)

3.1 (5.0)

0.003

Modified Schober’s, cm

4.5 (1.1)

4.6 (1.3)

4.5 (1.5)

4.7 (1.0)

0.84

Lateral flexion, cm

17.6 (7.0)

16.7 (5.4)

25.4 (14.6)

18.1 (7.1)

0.81

Chest expansion, cm

4.5 (1.5)

4.8 (1.4)

4.4 (1.3)

4.7 (1.5)

0.94

Hip rotation, cm

39.9 (8.9)

42.3 (11.8)

50 (16.1)

47.4 (9.9)

0.92

Physician assessment of disease activity, 10-cm NRS

6.7 (1.6)

5.1 (2.8)

6.4 (1.0)

1.3 (2.1)

0.0006

Physician assessment of health status, 10-cm NRS

3.7 (2.1)

5.0 (2.7)

4.1 (1.3)

7.6 (2.0)

0.01

Parent/patient assessment of well-being, 10-cm NRS

6.4 (1.3)

5.3 (2.6)

3.8 (1.9)

2.3 (2.2)

0.39

Pain score, 0–10 NRS

7.5 (1.8)

5.8 (2.7)

7.2 (1.9)

2.4 (1.9)

0.003