OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of an Internet-based Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) as a resource for arthritis patients unable or unwilling to attend small-group ASMPs, which have proven effective in changing health-related behaviors and improving health status measures. METHODS: Randomized intervention participants were compared with usual care controls at 6 months and 1 year using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia and Internet and e-mail access (n = 855) were randomized to an intervention (n = 433) or usual care control (n = 422) group. Measures included 6 health status variables (pain, fatigue, activity limitation, health distress, disability, and self-reported global health), 4 health behaviors (aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercise, practice of stress management, and communication with physicians), 5 utilization variables (physician visits, emergency room visits, chiropractic visits, physical therapist visits, and nights in hospital), and self-efficacy. RESULTS: At 1 year, the intervention group significantly improved in 4 of 6 health status measures and self-efficacy. No significant differences in health behaviors or health care utilization were found. CONCLUSION: The Internet-based ASMP proved effective in improving health status measures at 1 year and is a viable alternative to the small-group ASMP.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of an Internet-based Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) as a resource for arthritispatients unable or unwilling to attend small-group ASMPs, which have proven effective in changing health-related behaviors and improving health status measures. METHODS: Randomized intervention participants were compared with usual care controls at 6 months and 1 year using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia and Internet and e-mail access (n = 855) were randomized to an intervention (n = 433) or usual care control (n = 422) group. Measures included 6 health status variables (pain, fatigue, activity limitation, health distress, disability, and self-reported global health), 4 health behaviors (aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercise, practice of stress management, and communication with physicians), 5 utilization variables (physician visits, emergency room visits, chiropractic visits, physical therapist visits, and nights in hospital), and self-efficacy. RESULTS: At 1 year, the intervention group significantly improved in 4 of 6 health status measures and self-efficacy. No significant differences in health behaviors or health care utilization were found. CONCLUSION: The Internet-based ASMP proved effective in improving health status measures at 1 year and is a viable alternative to the small-group ASMP.
Authors: Tamara J Somers; Rebecca A Shelby; Francis J Keefe; Neha Godiwala; Mark A Lumley; Angelia Mosley-Williams; John R Rice; David Caldwell Journal: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 4.794
Authors: Marie K Hoeger Bement; Barbara J St Marie; Terry M Nordstrom; Nicole Christensen; Jennifer M Mongoven; Ian J Koebner; Scott M Fishman; Kathleen A Sluka Journal: Phys Ther Date: 2013-12-05
Authors: T M Damush; G L Jackson; B J Powers; H B Bosworth; E Cheng; J Anderson; M Guihan; S LaVela; S Rajan; L Plue Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2010-01 Impact factor: 5.128