title: Randomized prospective study of a work place ergonomic intervention for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a longitudinal randomized controlled trial comparing a work place ergonomic intervention versus a control (i.e., provision of written educational materials) for persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) regarding employment, physical, and symptom outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine participants (mean age 50.54 years, 87% women, 38% with RA, 62% with OA) were randomized into the intervention or control group. Seventy-five participants completed baseline, 12-month, and 24-month evaluations. Outcome measures included Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) physical, symptom (i.e., pain), and role scores (i.e., impact of arthritis on employment); Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS); and Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index. The study design was a 2-factor (treatment and time) with repeated measures on 1 factor (time) design used with baseline as a covariate for 12- and 24-month data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between-group analyses indicated differences at 24 months for the AIMS2 role score (P < 0.03), with the intervention group reporting less arthritis-related impact on their work. Within-group analyses indicated significant improvements for the intervention group in AIMS2 change scores for physical functioning and symptom variables at 12 months (P < 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively) and 24 months (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Job satisfaction (JSS) decreased at 12 months for both the intervention (P < 0.01) and control groups (P < 0.01), and at 24 months for the control group (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An ergonomic work place intervention (versus a control) is associated with decreased arthritis-related work difficulties over 2 years for individuals with OA and RA, as well as improvements in physical functioning and pain.
authors.affiliation: Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Brick
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnstone
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hewett
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017132:Workplace