Arthritis Self-Management Education Program

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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We will develop brief versions of the classic 6-week Arthritis Self-Management Program and evaluate their effectiveness.

Detailed Description
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Many national statements have been made recently about the importance of evidence-based arthritis self-management to improvements in the public's health. The prevalence of arthritis is increasing as the US population ages; the prevalence of arthritis-related disability is higher among Blacks than Whites. Effective arthritis self-management education programs with varying formats have been developed and found effective. Despite this, many Arthritis Foundation chapters and arthritis units of state health departments have found dissemination difficult, and cite the time demands (6 weekly sessions, 2 hours/session) of the classic arthritis self-management education program (ASMP) as a major barrier. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Stanford University will develop and evaluate two low dose arthritis self-management programs. The study will be conducted in three phases. Phase One (Development): Researchers will conduct needs assessments with arthritis self-management program disseminators, rheumatologists and other arthritis health professionals, and potential program users to determine preferred content, length, and schedule. Using findings from these assessments, researchers will develop two low dose versions of the ASMP. Phase Two (Implementation and Evaluation): Researchers will evaluate the response (effectiveness) of both low dose interventions in a randomized controlled trial (4 months) and a longitudinal study (one year). We will measure four outcomes: (1) Self-Management Behaviors, (2) Arthritis Self-Efficacy, (3) Health-related Quality of Life (Self-reported Health, Pain, Disability, Fatigue, Activity Limitation, and Health Distress); and (4) Health Care Utilization. A sample of 700 adults with diagnosed arthritis or chronic joint pain, including 200 African Americans, will participate in the study. All data will be gathered via self-administered mailed questionnaires, with telephone follow-up as needed. We will use analysis of co-variance and structural equation modeling to evaluate effectiveness. Researchers will also compare the effectiveness of each new low dose program with the effectiveness of existing arthritis self-management education program options. Phase Three (Dissemination): We will consult with arthritis units of state health departments and state chapters of the Arthritis Foundation on program adoption and distribution.

Official Title
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Arthritis Self-Management Education -- Dose Response

Conditions
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Arthritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Arthritis Quick Start
* Other: Delayed treatment intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adults, 18 years or older Arthritis diagnosis No prior participation in arthritis self-management

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

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


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Arthritis self-management workshop<br>Comparison of two-week, lay led, scripted self-management workshop emphasizing action planning, problem-solving, and content specific to arthritis. | Behavioral: Arthritis Quick Start<br>* Two week, lay led, workshop focusing on goal setting, problem solving, and content specific to disease management.<br>Other: Delayed treatment intervention<br>* After four months delay, participants in Control Group receive Experimental workshop.<br>|
| Other: Delayed treatment control<br>After 4 month delay, participants in Control Group receive Experimental intervention. | Other: Delayed treatment intervention<br>* After four months delay, participants in Control Group receive Experimental workshop.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-Efficacy |  | 10-1-05-9-30-09 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-reported health |  | 10-1-05-9-30-09 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Disease self-management, Community programs