OBJECTIVE: Joint protection aims to reduce @entity158 and @entity32 , preserve the integrity of joint structures and improve function. There is evidence that it can improve @entity158 and function in the short term, but the long-term effects are uncertain. This study evaluated the effects of joint protection in early @entity309 ( @entity309 ). METHODS: A randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial of duration 1 yr was conducted. Two interventions (both 8 h) were compared: standard @entity625 education, including 2.5 h of joint protection education based on typical UK practice; and a joint protection @entity625 education programme, using educational-behavioural teaching methods. Assessments were made at entry and 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Sixty-five @entity1 with @entity309 attended the joint protection programme and 62 the standard programme. The groups were matched for age (51 and 49 yr), disease duration (21 and 17.5 months) and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. In comparison with the standard group, the joint protection group significantly improved with respect to adherence to the joint protection programme (P=0.001), hand @entity158 (P=0.02), general @entity158 (P=0.05), early morning @entity2693 (P=0.01), self-reported number of disease flare-ups (P=0.004), visits to the doctor for @entity625 (P<0.01), and the AIMS2 (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales) activities of daily living scale (P=0.04). A trend to improved swollen joint counts was identified (P=0.07). Within-group analyses also showed improvements in @entity625 self-efficacy and perceived control. @entity1847 scores continued to increase in both groups. CONCLUSION: We found significant improvements in adherence, @entity158 status and functional ability amongst those attending the joint protection programme. Benefits became more apparent with time, suggesting that joint protection can help slow the progression of the effects of @entity309 over and above the effects of drug therapy.

One-year outcomes of a randomized controlled trial of an educational-behavioural joint protection programme for XXXX with @entity309 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['people'] @entity32 :: ('MESH:D007249', 'Disease') :: ['local inflammation'] @entity625 :: ('MESH:D001168', 'Disease') :: ['arthritis'] @entity1847 :: ('MESH:D006226', 'Disease') :: ['Hand deformity'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain', 'pain, disease'] @entity309 :: ('MESH:D001172', 'Disease') :: ['rheumatoid arthritis', 'RA'] @entity2693 :: ('MESH:C566112', 'Disease') :: ['stiffness']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['people']
