The internet-based arthritis self-management program: a one-year randomized trial for patients with arthritis or fibromyalgia

Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Jul 15;59(7):1009-17. doi: 10.1002/art.23817.

Abstract

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.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00398255.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / therapy*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis / therapy*
  • Self Care / methods*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00398255