For most breast cancer survivors experiencing aromatase inhibitor‐associated arthralgia (AIAA), pharmacological remedies such as analgesics and antidepressants provide little or no joint symptom relief, and these medications have their own adverse side effects. There is a need to identify effective, easy‐to‐use, sustainable, and safe alternative or adjunctive approaches to AIAA management. This article describes an evidence‐based walking program that is effective in reducing symptoms in adults with arthritis and investigates whether the program could have similar benefits for women experiencing AIAA.
Introduction
Camine Con Gusto (CCG) is the Hispanic version of an evidence-based walking program for people with arthritis. This study examined CCG outcomes, feasibility, tolerability, safety, and acceptability and potential tailoring.
Method
A pre and post 6-week evaluation was conducted in Hispanic people with arthritis. Outcomes included pain, stiffness, fatigue, functional capacity, helplessness, and self-efficacy. A formative evaluation with program participants and key stakeholders explored program tailoring.
Results
Participants' mean age was 46.9 years, 44.4% had a high school degree or less, 2.5% were born in United States, 60.1% spoke only Spanish, and 74.7% were female. Moderate effect sizes were found: 0.50 for pain, 0.75 for fatigue, 0.49 for stiffness, 0.33 for function, 0.26 for helplessness, and 0.24 for self-efficacy. There were 285 participants recruited with an 82% 6-week retention (feasibility), no adverse events were reported (safety), and 98% reported program satisfaction (acceptability). Recommended adaptations included simpler language, more pictures and content addressing nutrition and chronic conditions, shortened materials, and inclusion of motivational strategies.
Conclusion
CCG showed improvement in outcomes in Hispanic individuals comparable to those noted in non-Hispanic White and Black individuals with arthritis.
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