title: Design and acceptance of Rheumates@Work, a combined internet-based and in person instruction model, an interactive, educational, and cognitive behavioral program for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic rheumatic disease. Patients suffer daily discomforts such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, and mood disturbances. Their exercise capacity is decreased to a variable degree and physical activity levels may be impaired. To prevent long-term cardiovascular risks associated with JIA and medication, it is important to encourage physical activity. To achieve this we developed Rheumates@Work (R@W), a combined internet-based and in person instruction model, an interactive, educational, and cognitive behavioral program. The aim of this study is twofold: to describe the theoretical background and design of R@W based on Pender's Health Promotion Model, and to assess its acceptance.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 8 to 13-year-old JIA patients, from 3 outpatients clinics in The Netherlands, in R@W. Inclusion criteria were a low disease activity (VAS physician <20 mm), comprehension of the Dutch language and absence of relevant co-morbidity. We assessed acceptance by measuring the participants' commitment to the program, the level of interaction on patient's initiative (f.e. mails send by the patient), technical aspects and satisfaction. Commitment was defined as the percentage of participants that completed the assignments and how much encouragement the participants needed for this. Satisfaction was measured with an anonymous questionnaire concerning f.e. time investment and perceived benefits. Costs were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 64 patients we enrolled, 23 boys and 41 girls, 93.8 % completed the program. Participant-initiated interaction was seen in 10.7 %, 24.7 % send a mail because of technical problems. Eighty-two percent of the participants and 99 % of the parents liked the program, and 85 % of the participants indicated that they had learnt something, or quite a lot. Development costs of the program were low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HPM is suitable for a behavioral intervention program such as R@W. Acceptance and satisfaction of R@W were high and the costs of the program were low.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ISRCTN92733069.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands. w.armbrust@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Wineke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Armbrust
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Rehabilitation, Groningen, The Netherlands. g.j.f.j.bos@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Joyce J F J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.affiliation: Amsterdam Center for Rheumatology and immunology Reade, location: Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.cappon@reade.nl.
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cappon
authors.affiliation: Amsterdam Center for Rheumatology and immunology Reade, location: Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.v.rossum@reade.nl.
authors.forename: Marion A J J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands. p.j.j.sauer@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Pieter J J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands. n.wulffraat@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wulffraat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands. veera_vanwijnen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Veera K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: van Wijnen
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Rehabilitation, Groningen, The Netherlands. o.t.h.m.lelieveld@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Otto T H M
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Lelieveld
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction