Healthier Living With Arthritis Online Program

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Individuals with with arthritic conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia) and internet and email access were randomized to receive an internet-based arthritis self-management program (treatment group) or to continue with usual care (control group). Questionnaires measuring health indicators, health behaviors, self efficacy and health care utilization were administered at baseline, six months and one year after the course. It was hypothesized that those participating in the course would have better outcomes than the control group at six months and one year.

Detailed Description
-----------------
An internet-based arthritis self-management program was developed based on the widely used small-group arthritis self-management program. Individuals with arthritis were recruited via established websites, on-line newsletters, discussion groups, calendar announcements and articles in newspapers, and asked to go to the project website. Subjects who filled out an informed consent and met all of the following criteria were invited to enroll: At least 18 years of age A physician's diagnosis of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Not have been in active treatment for cancer for one year. Not participated in the small group Arthritis Self-Management or Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Those eligible and wishing to continue were randomized to receive the internet-based arthritis self-management program (treatment group) or to continue with usual care (control group). On-line questionnaires were administered at baseline, six months and twelve months after the program. Measures included health indicators, health behaviors, self efficacy and health care utilization. It is hypothesized that course participants, compared to the usual-care control group, will show statistically significant improvements (using Analyses of Covariance and Logistic Regressions) in outcome variables and that the improvements will be associated with increased self-efficacy for management of arthritis.

Official Title
-----------------
Internet Arthritis Self-Management Study

Conditions
-----------------
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: self-management program


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: arthritic condition (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia) internet access and ability to use computer Exclusion Criteria: active treatment for cancer taken small group arthritis self-management program

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: self-management program|nan|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Health Distress Scale at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Activities Limitation Scale at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Self Efficacy for Management of Arthritis Scale at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Stretching and strengthening exercise at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Visits of Physicians at six months and one year |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-Reported General Health at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Visual Numeric Pain at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Visual Numeric Fatigue at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Disability at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Aerobic Exercise at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Communication with Physician at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Cognitive Sympton Management at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Emergency Department Visits at six months and one year |  |  | 
| Nights in Hospital at six months and one year |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
arthritis, self management, patient education