title: Internet Program for Physical Activity and Exercise Capacity in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: To determine the effects of Rheumates@Work, an internet-based program supplemented with 4 group sessions, aimed at improving physical activity, exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and participation in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
  
  
  
  Patients were recruited from 3 pediatric rheumatology centers in The Netherlands for an observer-blinded, randomized controlled multicenter trial. Physical activity level, time spent in rest, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were recorded in a diary and with an accelerometer, before intervention, after intervention, and at followup after 3 and 12 months (intervention group only). Exercise capacity was assessed using the Bruce treadmill protocol, HRQoL was assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory generic core scale, and participation in school and in physical education classes were assessed by questionnaire.
  
  
  
  The intervention group consisted of 28 children, and there were 21 children in the control group. MVPA,exercise capacity, and participating in school and physical education classes improved significantly in the intervention group. HRQoL improved in the control group. No significant differences were found between groups. The effect of Rheumates@Work on physical activity and exercise capacity lasted during the 12 months of followup. Improvements in physical activity were significantly better for the cohort starting in winter compared to the summer cohort.
  
  
  
  Rheumates@Work had a positive, albeit small, effect on physical activity, exercise capacity, and participation in school and physical education class in the intervention group. Improvements lasted for 12 months. Participants who started in winter showed the most improvement. Rheumates@Work had no effect on HRQoL.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, and Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wineke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Armbrust
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G J F Joyce
authors.initials: GJFJ
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Utrecht and Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nico M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Wulffraat
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Utrecht and Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Brussel
authors.affiliation: Reade, Center for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cappon
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan H B
authors.initials: JHB
authors.lastname: Geertzen
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, and Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G Elizabeth
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Legger
authors.affiliation: Reade, Center for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marion A J
authors.initials: MAJ
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, and Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter J J
authors.initials: PJJ
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Otto T H M
authors.initials: OTHM
authors.lastname: Lelieveld
mesh_terms: D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D016037:Single-Blind Method