We assessed the effects of patient education and OPD-based short-term exercise therapy in ankylosing spondylitis. The subjects of this study were 25 patients with confirmed ankylosing spondylitis by New York criteria who had visited Seoul National University Hospital from March, 1992 to July, 1992. We have made two sessions of patient education and self exercise therapy for 4 weeks on OPD base.

The results were as follows:

1) There were significant improvements in pain, nocturnal awakenings, morning stiffness, functional status, forward flexion of trunk, and lateral flexion of trunk.

2) The treatment outcome were poor as the disease duration increase.