Influence of patient education on exercise compliance in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective 12-month randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of education on the exercise habits of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 6 and 12 months.


METHODS
We studied 208 outpatients recruited between June 2001 and December 2002. This was a prospective controlled randomized trial. The active group received a multidisciplinary education program, including training in home-based exercises and guidelines for leisure physical activity (PA). The control group received a booklet added to usual medical care. Compliance with home-based exercises was defined as a practice rate >or= 30% of the prescribed training. Compliance with leisure PA was defined as >or= 20% increase in Baecke questionnaire score. Additional assessments involved possible predictors of compliance and changes with regard to the compliance.


RESULTS
At 6-month followup, home-based exercise and leisure PA compliance were significantly higher [13.5% vs 1%, respectively (p = 0.001); and 28.2% vs 13.8% (p = 0.02)], but were not at 12 months. Predictors of leisure PA compliance at 6 months included participating in the active group (odds ratio 2.74, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.38) and previous low leisure PA (OR 6.01, 95% CI 2.47 to 14.61), with decreased fatigue (FACIT-F mean -2.94 +/- 8.04 vs -0.1 +/- 7.25 for noncompliant subjects; p = 0.04) and improved psychological status (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale mean -1.25 +/- 3.12 vs 0.11 +/- 3.39; p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Education of patients with RA may increase compliance especially with leisure PA, particularly when it is poor at baseline, but these effects are limited and short-term.
Mayoux-Benhamou
Anne
A
Department of Rehabilitation, Cochin Hospital, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75679 Paris Cedex 14, France. anne.mayoux-benhamou@cch.aphp.fr
Giraudet-Le Quintrec
Janine-Sophie
JS
Ravaud
Philippe
P
Champion
Karine
K
Dernis
Emmanuelle
E
Zerkak
Djamila
D
Roy
Carine
C
Kahan
Andre
A
Revel
Michel
M
Dougados
Maxime
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care