Feasibility of a physiotherapist-led behaviour change intervention to improve physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis

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  • Norelee Kennedy
  • Louise Larkin
  • Sean McKenna
  • Tadhg Pyne
  • Stephen Gallagher
  • Liam Glynn
  • Alexander Fraser
  • Esbensen, Bente Appel

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) interventions incorporating behaviour change (BC) theory are needed to improve PA levels in people with rheumatoid arthritis. A pilot feasibility study of a Physiotherapist-led Intervention to Promote PA in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PIPPRA) was undertaken to obtain estimates for recruitment rate, participant retention and protocol adherence. METHODS: Participants were recruited at University Hospital (UH) rheumatology clinics and randomly assigned to control group (physical activity information leaflet) or intervention group (four BC physiotherapy sessions in 8 weeks). Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of RA (ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria), aged 18+ years and classified as insufficiently physically active. Ethical approval was obtained from the UH research ethics committee. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0), 8 weeks (T1) and 24 weeks (T2). Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyse the data with SPSS v22. RESULTS: 320 participants were approached about the study with n=183 (57%) eligible to participate and n=58 (55%) consented to participate (recruitment rate: 6.4 per month; refusal rate 59%). Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the study, n=25 (43%) participants completed the study (n=11 (44%) intervention and n=14 (56%) control). Of the 25, n=23 (92%) were female, mean age was 60 years (s.d. 11.5). Intervention group participants completed 100% of BC sessions 1 and 2, 88% completed session 3 and 81% completed session 4. DISCUSSION: The intervention to promote physical activity was feasible and safe and provides a framework for larger intervention studies. Based on these findings, a fully powered trial is recommended.

Original languageEnglish
JournalRural and Remote Health
Volume23
Issue number1
Number of pages2
ISSN1445-6354
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

ID: 393643287