Feasibility and Acceptability of a Self-Management Program for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Joint activity and protection are key components in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite a shift from care in health settings to empowering patients to play an active role in the day-to-day management of their own chronic conditions, there is little evidence on RA self-management, especially for Chinese patients. PURPOSE: This pilot study sought to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a self-management program for patients with RA in Taiwan. METHODS: Participants were recruited at a medical center in northern Taiwan. The intervention group participated in a 6-week self-management program; the control group received standard rheumatology care. Both groups underwent baseline assessments before the intervention and at 12 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 32 participants were recruited: 15 in the intervention group and 17 in the control group. Patients in the intervention group found the self-management protocol beneficial to their joint protection and activity behaviors and reported higher motivation to perform RA self-management. The posttest score for joint protection and activity self-management behavior were significantly greater for the intervention group than for the control group (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Participants in the intervention group were highly satisfied with home visits (which included peer story-telling and goal setting) and telephone calls to support their daily home-based joint protection and self-management activities (which included self-monitoring and self-evaluation). To mitigate the fear of scammers, researchers should begin by building a trust relationship with participants.

The Effects of Patient Education on Psychological Status and Clinical Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Eighteen studies reported the duration of symptoms, with the mean duration ranged from 7.05 to 20.48 years. Sixteen studies were based on the diagnosis of KOA based on clinical and radiographic features by a physician ( 33 – 35 , 37 – 44 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 53 ), while the remaining eight studies were based on the diagnosis criteria of the American College of Rheumatology ( 31 , 32 , 36 , 45 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 ).…”

“…Table 2 shows the characteristics of interventions in these 24 RCTs, including the specific methods of education, duration of intervention, and outcomes. To compare interventions between the education group and the control group, eight studies used education vs. usual care ( 32 , 35 , 37 , 44 , 48 , 51 , 52 , 54 ), and five studies used education + usual care vs. usual care ( 36 , 40 , 42 , 46 , 53 ), five studies used education + conventional treatment vs. conventional treatment ( 34 , 38 , 39 , 49 , 50 ), and six studies used education vs. waiting list (no intervention) ( 31 , 33 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 47 ). The outcomes of these 24 RCTs include pain, physical function, disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), anxiety, depression, ASE (pain), ASE (other symptoms), ASE(total), and general health.…”

“…Five studies assessed the depression using HADS ( 32 , 37 , 40 ), BDI ( 31 , 33 , 41 , 47 ), and CES-D ( 45 ), respectively. Ten studies assessed ASE using Arthritis Self-Efficacy Questionnaire ( 32 , 35 – 37 , 45 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 54 ). Four studies assessed the general health using SF-36 ( 41 , 46 ), AIMS2 ( 45 ) and EQ5D ( 42 ), respectively.…”

“…Sixteen studies reported specific randomization methods ( 31 , 34 , 36 – 38 , 40 – 42 , 44 , 46 , 50 – 54 ), eight RCTs did not specify the specific randomization method ( 32 , 33 , 35 , 39 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 48 ). The allocation concealment of nine RCTs remained unclear ( 32 , 33 , 35 , 38 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 52 ). The performance bias of five RCTs was judged to be high ( 41 , 42 , 50 , 51 , 53 ), and nine RCTs was judged to be unclear ( 32 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 43 – 45 , 47 , 48 ).…”

A autonomia funcional como determinante da qualidade de vida em pessoas com artrite reumatóide

“…Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory multisystem autoimmune disease that causes physical symptoms such as pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling, and deformities, as well as psychological symptoms including fatigue and depression (Shin, 2020). These symptoms lead to significant limitations that turn simple daily activities into challenges (Shao et al, 2020) and have a disruptive effect on family and societal experiences, self-concept, and moods (Ribeiro et al, 2020). Self-care activities alleviate the symptoms and complications of diseases and reduce recovery time and hospital admission and readmission rates (Santos et al, 2017).…”