Effectiveness of Fatigue and Activity Management in Work (FAME-W) for Individuals With Inflammatory Arthritis

Summary

Many individuals with Inflammatory Arthritis (IA) experience symptoms of pain and fatigue which interfere with work. Over 50% of people with IA report workplace difficulties resulting in sick leave, absenteeism and reduced productivity. Loss of ability to continue paid employment results in physical, emotional and financial hardship for individuals with IA and has societal and economic implications. Previous research has identified pain and fatigue as dominant symptoms that interfere with work capacity and therefore interventions are required to reduce the impact of these symptoms on work activities. The purpose of this study therefore is to test the effectiveness of a 4-week Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work intervention. The study will use a mixed methods design. A randomized control trial will test the effectiveness of the intervention and a qualitative process evaluation with explore acceptability and participants' experiences of the intervention. Individuals with IA, of working age, will be recruited in Rheumatology outpatient departments of three hospitals. Study participants will be randomly assigned to a four-week online self-management intervention or a self-guided symptom management workbook. Study measures consist of self-report questionnaires related to work and symptom management. All participants will also be invited to an interview to discuss their experience of participating in the study.

Conditions

• Inflammatory Arthritis

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

FAME-W self-management intervention

FAME-W is an occupational therapy led, four-week group based self-management intervention. It focuses on providing people with IA skills and confidence to manage demands of their employment and daily life through education on IA, self-management techniques, managing symptoms of fatigue, pain and stress and managing physical and mental health.

BEHAVIORAL

FAME-W Handbook

Individuals in this arm receive a self-guided FAME-W handbook containing the same information as that covered in the four week FAME-W program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. James Hospital

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Tallaght University Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Waterford University Hospital

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Dublin, Trinity College

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Deirdre Connolly, PhD · University of Dublin, Trinity College

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-01-28

Primary Completion

2022-09-30

Completion

2023-09-30

Countries

• Ireland

Study Locations