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Participants with Arthritis Provide Positive Feedback about their Experience in the Active Living Every Day Program

Approximately one-third of American adults have some type of arthritis or other joint problem. Moderate intensity physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms and daily function in people with arthritis. Yet more than 60% of adults do not meet the physical activity recommendations suggested by the Surgeon General.

A CDC funded research study at the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a trial evaluating the Active Living Every Day program among a population with arthritis. This study sought to provide insight into the successful implementation of community programs that help people cope with and better manage arthritis symptoms through the introduction of moderate intensity physical activity interventions.

Three hundred and fifty-five participants at 17 sites around North Carolina took part in the study. Class sites included church, senior, community, retirement and wellness centers in urban and rural areas across the state. After completing the Active Living Every Day program, 123 participants in the intervention group filled-out a satisfaction survey. Thirty participants also completed a telephone interview where they discussed their experience in the Active Living Every Day program.

Results from the main trial are currently being completed. The results presented here are based on the findings from the participant satisfaction surveys and the telephone interviews. Participants found Active Living Every Day to be a safe and appropriate program for people with arthritis. They cited the importance of social support, knowledgeable facilitators, and the Active Living Every Day book as factors in helping them become more active. Eighty-five percent of program participants reported they are more physically active now, than before they began the course.

In addition, participants reported the following:

• Over 90% of participants reported their facilitator to be knowledgeable, enthusiastic, organized, empathetic, and understanding.
• Over 79% of participants reported the pedometer and program book to be very helpful.
• 95% of participants reported they benefited from the course, 85% said that they are now more physically active than before the course.
• Social support was reported most frequently by participants as what they enjoyed most about the course.
• More than 79% of participants rated their classes as excellent or good in addressing: precautions and general guidelines for physical activity (PA), benefits of PA, ways to make PA easier, ways to protect joints, how to listen to your body, cope with stress, overcome barriers to PA, and set goals to start becoming more physically active.
• Participants identified three major factors that motivated them to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives: learning that small bouts of exercise are beneficial, monitoring their progress, and feeling better after being physically active.
• Trust in the facilitator and support from classmates fostered a safe and encouraging environment to learn these skills.

Well-trained and enthusiastic facilitators play a key role in the success of the program, and in helping people with arthritis to discover the benefits of physical activity. Creating partnerships among community and private entities holds promise for continued ability to offer quality, proven programs to help improve health and quality of life.

Sources

Buysse K, Etheridge L, Schoster B, Mielenz T, Callahan LF. Participant and Facilitator Reported Satisfaction with the Active Living Every Day (ALED) Program. Arthritis Rheum 2005: 52; 9, S437.

Schoster B, Sally L, Mielenz T, Callahan LF. A Qualitative Evaluation of Active Living Every Day in People with Arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2005: 52; 9, S437.

Callahan LF, Mielenz T. Community-Based Physical Activity Programs in Older Individuals with Arthritis. 2004 Cooper Institute Conference: Physical Activity in World Populations: Understanding Diffusion and Dissemination. October 21 – 23, 2004. Dallas, TX.