Non-Pharmacologic Management
Abstract# 2083 - An Internet-Based Physical Activity Intervention in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Patients’ Engagement and Satisfaction
Authors: M.H. van den Berg et al.
Background: Physical activity has been shown to improve RA symptoms. However, one of the challenges involved in promoting increased physical activity among persons with RA is to find a convenient and effective way to deliver the relevant information on the benefits of physical activity, as well as to assist patients in initiating and sustaining the activity. In this study van den Berg and colleagues evaluate an internet-mediated physical activity intervention.
Methods: One hundred and sixty adults with RA were randomized to either an internet-mediate physical activity intervention that provided individual supervision including a personalized weekly activity schedules, communications via email, telephone contact, an online discussion forum, and 6 optional face-to-face meetings OR a general internet-mediated intervention that did not provide the supervision (Note: this abstract reports only on the internet-mediate physical activity intervention that provided the individual supervision) Outcomes included: use of the website, satisfaction with the website, website tool and mode of communication usage.
Results: Eighty-two patients (median age 50 years, 76% female) were randomized to the internet intervention that provided individual supervision. Most (84%) returned the questionnaires that asked about satisfaction with aspects of the website. The median rate of return of physical activity schedules was 55%, and about 65% of participants log onto the website at least once a week. About 57% took advantage of the opportunity to contact the physical therapist by telephone and over half (57%) attended at least 3 of 6 possible face-to-face meetings. Finally, the vast majority of participants were very satisfied with the layout of the website, the physical activity schedules, and the quality of the information provided.
Conclusions: Participants used the internet-mediated physical activity intervention with individual supervision frequently and were generally satisfied with its content and capability.
Editorial Comments: Finding effective and user-friendly ways to disseminate health information to vast audiences has been facilitated greatly by the internet. In this study, a website to promote physical activity among persons with RA that included a physical activity schedule, emails, online forums, and the option of face-to-face meetings was shown to be popular and satisfying. This suggests that if information is provided via the internet, provided it is well-structured and information dense can be a valuable resource for patients looking to make behavior changes. Unfortunately, this study did not assess whether using the website was associated with changes (i.e., increases) in physical activity. Until such a study is conducted, the utility of the website, with respect to promoting this sort of behavior change, cannot be comprehensively evaluated. Nonetheless, the results are encouraging and might inform subsequent efforts to develop websites to promote health behaviors.