Rheumatology Commons^™

Joint Protection Programs For People With Hand Arthritis, Pavlos Bobos

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The fact that Joint Protection Programs (JPP) can reduce pain and improve function is based on small, but definitive Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), conducted in the 1980s. However, changes over time in the nature of hand use, the rapid expansion of technology, and improvements in our understanding of health literacy mean that these programs are now outdated. Further, problems with adherence to JPP are well documented. The purpose of this thesis was 1) to conduct a scoping review to map all the available evidence around joint protection programs in published and unpublished studies 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of joint …

Predictors Of Exercise Behavior In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis 6 Months Following A Visit With Their Rheumatologist, Maura D. Iversen, Anne H. Fossel, Kelly Ayers, Allison Palmsten, Hai Wei Wang, Lawren H. Daltroy

Maura Daly Iversen

Background and Purpose. When factors that influence exercise behavior are known, health care professionals can more likely design and modify patient education materials targeted to promote exercise behavior. This study aimed to identify predictors of exercise behavior in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 6 months after a visit with their rheumatologist.

Subjects and Methods. Twenty-five rheumatologists and 132 patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated. One hundred thirteen patients (85.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up. Rheumatologists and patients completed baseline questionnaires and were audiotaped during a subsequent visit. Physical function and exercise behavior were ascertained via questionnaire 6 months following the visit. Multivariate logistic …