Arthritis self-management program variations: three studies.
OBJECTIVE
1) Determine strengths and weaknesses of the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP). 2) Compare 3- and 6-week ASMP. 3) Evaluate 1.5-hour arthritis program.


METHODS
Study 1: Qualitative methods incorporating incomplete block design. Study 2: Comparison of 3- and 6-week outcomes. Study 3: Pretest/posttest comparison.


RESULTS
Study 1: Pain management, exercise, and sharing ranked as the most useful aspects of the ASMP. Nutrition, medications, and making decisions about nontraditional treatments ranked least useful. Study 2: Six-week ASMP subjects improved pain, health distress, illness impact, exercise, cognitive pain management, self-efficacy, and reduced visits to physicians (P < 0.05). Three-week subjects improved health distress, cognitive pain management, and self-efficacy (P < 0.05). Study 3: Improved knowledge, self-efficacy, and pain (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The traditional 6-week ASMP is more effective than a 3-week version. A 1.5-hour community program is effective in increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and contact with the Arthritis Foundation.
Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA.
K
K
Lorig
V M
VM
González
D D
DD
Laurent
L
L
Morgan
B A
BA
Laris
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*