Walk With Ease made easier: A community feasibility pilot study of implementing an arthritis activity intervention

Abstract

Arthritis or joint pain, is a leading cause of disability, poor physical function, and decreased quality of life, affecting an estimated 54 million US adults (Barbour et al., 2017). In Wisconsin, 26% of adults (1.1 million) reported a diagnosis of arthritis (CDC, 2019). Existing guidelines recommend exercise to manage arthritis symptoms and decrease the severity of pain and physical limitations (CDC, 2018a), yet only 26% of men and 19% of women with arthritis engage in sufficient physical activity (PA) (Piercy et al., 2018). Likewise, individuals with arthritis who meet PA guidelines can lower their risk for premature death by 33% (Vagnoni et al., 2018). Nationwide, arthritis contributes approximately $81 billion to medical costs annually (Barbour et al., 2017). Notably, participants with arthritis randomised to an exercise programme noted a decrease in average drug costs (Vagnoni et al., 2018). Thus, improving activity may improve arthritis management, survival, and health costs, but significant barriers persist for connecting patients to walking exercise programs, particularly in smaller communities (Hanson et al., 2022).In the US, a higher prevalence of arthritis is seen in rural communities (33%) compared to urban areas (21%). Furthermore, 43% of rural patients have arthritis-attributable activity limitation, affecting regular exercise participation. PA and self-management education programs could help reduce these limitations and improve physical function and health outcomes (CDC, 2018b). Unfortunately, many non-urban communities lack evidence-based activity programs for patients with arthritis, limiting arthritis prevention and functional improvement opportunities.Walk With Ease (WWE) is one of five evidence-based, CDCendorsed programs to improve PA and self-management in patients with arthritis (Callahan et al., 2011; CDC, 2018b). WWE is readily accessible with training materials and resources that can be found on the Arthritis Foundation website and tailored to an individual's fitness level (Arthritis Foundation, 2018). Of the five CDC-endorsed Research results were presented as an oral presentation at the