An internet-based self-management program with telephone support for adolescents with arthritis: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of a 12-week Internet-based self-management program of disease-specific information, self-management strategies, and social support with telephone support for youth with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents, aimed at reducing physical and emotional symptoms and improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL).


METHODS
A nonblind pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT01011179) was conducted to test the feasibility of the "Teens Taking Charge: Managing Arthritis Online" Internet intervention across 4 tertiary-level centers in Canada. Participants were 46 adolescents with JIA, ages 12 to 18 years, and 1 parent for each participant, who were randomized to the control arm (n = 24) or the Internet intervention (n = 22).


RESULTS
The 2 groups were comparable on demographic and disease-related variables and treatment expectation at baseline. Attrition rates were 18.1% and 20.8%, respectively, from experimental and control groups. Ninety-one percent of participants randomized to the experimental group completed all 12 online modules and weekly phone calls with a coach in an average of 14.7 weeks (SD 2.1). The control group completed 90% of weekly attention-control phone calls. The Internet treatment was rated as acceptable by all youth and their parents. In posttreatment the experimental group had significantly higher knowledge (p < 0.001, effect size 1.32) and lower average weekly pain intensity (p = 0.03, effect size 0.78). There were no significant group differences in HRQOL, self-efficacy, adherence, and stress posttreatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings support the feasibility (acceptability, compliance, and user satisfaction) and initial efficacy of Internet delivery of a self-management program for improving disease-specific knowledge and reducing pain in youth with JIA.
Stinson
Jennifer N
JN
Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Chronic Pain Program, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. jennifer.stinson@sickkids.ca
McGrath
Patrick J
PJ
Hodnett
Ellen D
ED
Feldman
Brian M
BM
Duffy
Ciaran M
CM
Huber
Adam M
AM
Tucker
Lori B
LB
Hetherington
C Ross
CR
Tse
Shirley M L
SM
Spiegel
Lynn R
LR
Campillo
Sarah
S
Gill
Navreet K
NK
White
Meghan E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D001168:Arthritis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D013689:Telephone