Physiotherapy is regarded as a major form of treatment for patients suffering from seronegative spondylarthropathies. This is a systematic review on the efficacy of physiotherapy in this group of rheumatic disorders. Controlled studies on physiotherapy of inflamed joints of patients suffering from seronegative spondylarthropathies are not available, and the few studies performed on physical modalities in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are inconclusive. Some evidence was found for pain reduction by treatment with either heat or cold in peripheral and Spinal joints. Clinical signs of decreased inflammation in controlled studies using thermotherapy, electrotherapy, magnetic fields, or laser-light have not been reported. Exercise therapy had some beneficial outcome in cervical mobility, overall health assessment, and patients' perception of disability. Physiotherapy-induced prevention of ankylosis in terms of radiographic signs still remains uncertain. However, the efficacy of physiotherapy may be underestimated because of the lack of the means for comprehensive assessment of seronegative spondylarthropathies.

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