Efficacy of a Physical Activity Counseling Program With Use of a Wearable Tracker in People With Inflammatory Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective. To assess the efficacy of a multifaceted counseling intervention at improving physical activity participation and patient outcomes. Methods. We recruited people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In weeks 1-8, the immediate group received education and counseling by a physical therapist, used a Fitbit and a web application to obtain feedback about their physical activity, and received 4 follow-up calls from the physical therapist. The delay group received the same intervention in weeks 10-17. Participants were assessed at baseline and at weeks 9, 18, and 27. The primary outcome was time spent in moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA; in bouts of ≥10 minutes) measured with a SenseWear device. Secondary outcomes included step count, time in sedentary behavior, pain, fatigue, mood, self-management capacity, and habitual behaviors. Results. A total of 118 participants enrolled. The adjusted mean difference in MVPA was 9.4 minutes/day (95% confidence interval [95% CI]-0.5, 19.3, P = 0.06). A significant effect was found in pain (-2.45 [95% CI-4.78,-0.13], P = 0.04) and perceived walking habit (0.54 [95% CI 0.08, 0.99], P = 0.02). The remaining secondary outcomes improved but were not statistically significant. Post hoc analysis revealed a significant effect in MVPA (14.3 minutes/ day [95% CI 2.3, 26.3]) and pain (-4.05 [95% CI-6.73,-1.36]) in participants with RA but not in those with SLE. Conclusion. Counseling by a physical therapist has the potential to improve physical activity in people with inflammatory arthritis, but further study is needed to understand the intervention effect on different diseases. We found a significant improvement in pain, suggesting that the intervention might have a positive effect on symptom management. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02554474.

Twenty‐Four Hour Activity and Sleep Profiles for Adults Living with Arthritis: Habits Matter

“…We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study using baseline data from 2 randomized clinical trials studying the effect of physical activity counseling for people with knee OA (SuPRA study), or RA or SLE (The Effectiveness of Physical Activity Monitoring in Inflammatory Arthritis [OPAM-IA] study) (33,34). Participants were eligible if they had a physician diagnosis of RA, SLE, or knee OA, or, in the case of undiagnosed knee OA, were age ≥50 years and had experienced pain or discomfort in or around the knee during the previous year lasting ≥28 days (35).…”

“…Participants were eligible if they had a physician diagnosis of RA, SLE, or knee OA, or, in the case of undiagnosed knee OA, were age ≥50 years and had experienced pain or discomfort in or around the knee during the previous year lasting ≥28 days (35). Participants had to be able to participate in physical activities without health professional supervision, have no prior experience with using wearable activity monitors, and have email and internet access (33,34). Participants were recruited from facilities offering arthritis care in 2 large metropolitan health care authorities in British Columbia, Canada.…”

“…Participants were recruited from facilities offering arthritis care in 2 large metropolitan health care authorities in British Columbia, Canada. Recruitment information was also posted on research websites, Facebook, Twitter, Kajiji, and Craigslist (33,34).…”

“…All statistical analyses were conducted using SAS software, version 9.4. Both studies were carried out in compliance with the Helsinki declaration for conducting research with humans and received ethical approval from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (SuPRA study H15-02038 and OPAM-IA study H15-01843) (33,34).…”

Telemedizin in der Rheumatologie

“…Eine amerikanische Pilotstudie an RA-und Lupus-Patienten zeigte, dass Patienten, die mittels Fitbit™ (San Francisco, USA) ihre physische Aktivität monitorierten und parallel telefonische Follow-up-Anrufe von Physiotherapeuten erhielten, sich nach 27 Wochen signifikant mehr bewegten und weniger Schmerzen haben [32].…”