Rheumatic Diseases and Computer Use
Condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis; Fibromyalgia; Osteoarthritis
MeSH terms: Fibromyalgia; Rheumatic Diseases; Collagen Diseases
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Computers allow individuals to engage in economic, social, and entertainment activities.
      Despite the many benefits of computer use, many individuals with rheumatic diseases may have
      difficulty using a computer. However, currently there is almost no information on the
      problems individuals with rheumatic diseases experience using a computer. Baseline
      information on the types of problems experienced by individuals with rheumatic diseases as
      well as the magnitude of those problems is needed before methods can be developed to
      intervene and remediate them. In this study we will develop and administer to a
      representative sample of patients with rheumatic diseases a survey which will examine the
      type and magnitude of computer problems experienced by those with rheumatic diseases. The
      goal of this study is to complete a needs assessment on the problems experienced by those
      with rheumatic diseases during computer use. This assessment will lay the groundwork for the
      development of outcome measures and interventions to improve computer use for individuals
      with rheumatic diseases. In the future it will assist individuals with rheumatic diseases to
      be able to use computers more comfortably and efficiently.
    

Detailed description: 
      Computers allow individuals to engage in economic, social, and entertainment activities. They
      are vital for full participation in many areas of society, and have become a necessity for
      many types of employment, particularly management and administrative positions. Despite the
      many benefits of computer use, many individuals with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia (FM) may be unable to use a computer
      due to limitations in hand function or sitting ability. These limitations can prevent the
      physical manipulation of computer peripherals or inhibit the ability to sit for extended
      periods of time at a computer. Despite the importance of computer use there is almost no
      information on the problems individuals with rheumatic diseases experience using a computer.
      Baseline information on the types of problems experienced by individuals with rheumatic
      diseases as well as the magnitude of those problems is needed before methods can be developed
      to intervene and remediate them. The aim of this study is to complete a needs assessment on
      the problems experienced by those with rheumatic diseases during computer use. This
      assessment will lay the groundwork for the development of outcome measures and interventions
      to improve computer use for individuals with rheumatic diseases by identifying problem areas
      and examine the magnitude of those problems. This study will be implemented in two phases. In
      Phase I (months 01-05) we will use several focus group sessions of 5-10 participants to
      acquire consumer input to develop and refine a survey to examine the problems experienced
      during computer use by people with rheumatic diseases. In Phase II the survey developed in
      Phase I {Computer Problem Survey (ComPS)] will be administered to a representative sample of
      patients with rheumatic diseases (n = ~1500) to ascertain the type and magnitude of computer
      problems (months 06-12). These 2 phases will be used to answer the following questions: 1.
      What aspects of computer use are reported to be a problem for individuals with RA, OA, and
      FM? 2. What is the magnitude of these problems for individuals with RA, OA, and FM? 3. How
      does the magnitude differ when examined by age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and work
      status? At the end of the study we will have gathered the descriptive data necessary to 1)
      begin modifying current computer performance evaluations to focus on measuring computer use
      performance in individuals with rheumatic diseases; and 2) develop and test interventions,
      such as adaptive equipment and ergonomics, to promote continued computer use for individuals
      with difficulties using a computer due to physical limitations.
    

Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Respondents were recruited from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Arthritis
        Network Disease Registry,
      
Keywords: Rheumatic Disorders; Computer Use