A recent article in the online December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism compared the effectiveness of two different types of Internet-based physical activity interventions for people with rheumatoid arthritis. In this study from the Netherlands, 160 patients were monitored over a period of a year. The patients were divided into two groups each accessing a different part of a website; one receiving an individualized activity program and one receiving general arthritis and exercise information.
The people in the individualized training group received a weekly, detailed personal activity program including muscle strengthening exercises, range-of-motion exercises, and cycling on a bicycle ergometer (measures the amount of work done by muscles during cycling). The program had to be performed 5 times a week on 5 separate days. Every week, the participants would email a report of their activity and the researchers would then post a new schedule of activity on each person’s personal web page. Each program was tailor-made for duration and intensity. All patients were also advised to engage in other physical activity on the other 2 days of the week such as walking or biking outside. Each received weekly, individual supervision by email from 2 physical therapists. They were also invited to attend group meetings once every three months where new exercises were demonstrated, more information on exercise was given and participants could share their experiences with each other. There was also a discussion forum on the webpage. Participants also received advice on self-management strategies for pain and fatigue management, energy conservation and joint protection via email and during group meetings.
On the other hand, the general training group accessed web pages with general information on aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and ROM exercises and physical activity in RA patients. Participants were advised to perform moderate physical activity at least 5 days a week and were offered suggestions for increasing duration and intensity of activity to meet this goal. They could also order a free copy of a CD-ROM developed for the general population which offered advice on physical activity. Information on the webpage was updated once per month with new activities and exercises, news, and brochures.
Predictably, the researchers found that the proportion of patients reporting moderate or vigorous physical activity was significantly higher in the individualized training (IT) group than in the general training (GT) group over a 12-month period. 38% percent of patients in the IT group who reported moderately intense activity for 30 minutes, 5 times per week at the 6 month mark. This number dropped by only 3% at 9 months. However, only 22% of the GT group reported moderate activity levels after 6 months and that number plummeted to 11% at 9 months. The findings were similar for reporting of vigorous activity, which the researchers defined as 20 successive minutes of vigorous activity least three days a week. The scientists found no significant long-term differences in functional ability or quality of life in the two groups.
The people in the individualized training group received a weekly, detailed personal activity program including muscle strengthening exercises, range-of-motion exercises, and cycling on a bicycle ergometer (measures the amount of work done by muscles during cycling). The program had to be performed 5 times a week on 5 separate days. Every week, the participants would email a report of their activity and the researchers would then post a new schedule of activity on each person’s personal web page. Each program was tailor-made for duration and intensity. All patients were also advised to engage in other physical activity on the other 2 days of the week such as walking or biking outside. Each received weekly, individual supervision by email from 2 physical therapists. They were also invited to attend group meetings once every three months where new exercises were demonstrated, more information on exercise was given and participants could share their experiences with each other. There was also a discussion forum on the webpage. Participants also received advice on self-management strategies for pain and fatigue management, energy conservation and joint protection via email and during group meetings.
On the other hand, the general training group accessed web pages with general information on aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and ROM exercises and physical activity in RA patients. Participants were advised to perform moderate physical activity at least 5 days a week and were offered suggestions for increasing duration and intensity of activity to meet this goal. They could also order a free copy of a CD-ROM developed for the general population which offered advice on physical activity. Information on the webpage was updated once per month with new activities and exercises, news, and brochures.
Predictably, the researchers found that the proportion of patients reporting moderate or vigorous physical activity was significantly higher in the individualized training (IT) group than in the general training (GT) group over a 12-month period. 38% percent of patients in the IT group who reported moderately intense activity for 30 minutes, 5 times per week at the 6 month mark. This number dropped by only 3% at 9 months. However, only 22% of the GT group reported moderate activity levels after 6 months and that number plummeted to 11% at 9 months. The findings were similar for reporting of vigorous activity, which the researchers defined as 20 successive minutes of vigorous activity least three days a week. The scientists found no significant long-term differences in functional ability or quality of life in the two groups.
< Previous Post:
Alternative Treatment: Massage TherapyNext Post: >
Another Advance in Genetic ResearchPeople who read this also read...
What the community is saying...
My hubby found this site for me. Hello all.
Posted 09/27 Comments (1)
This is my first post. I want all to know that I share...
