MAintAin Activity in Arthritis: A Feasibility Study

Summary

Best practice guidelines across the world always recommend those living with arthritis to be physically active. Research shows that being active can help people living with arthritis to do the things that they want to do for longer, reduce pain, improve quality of life and protect against getting other health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and cancer. Whilst various exercise programmes support people with arthritis to be active most individuals reduce their level of PA after completion of a prescribed programme. Staying active in the longer-term is more difficult and there is often a decrease in activity over time. Research has shown that exercise programmes helping people to become active, such as exercise classes, may not always have the right approach and focus during the programme to help people to stay active long-term. It is important to understand if people with arthritis can be supported to maintain their activity levels well in to the future. The investigators have already spoken to people living with arthritis, people involved in arthritis care and those involved in promoting physical activity. The research team brought their feedback and the scientific literature together and shaped a new intervention that suits the needs of people with arthritis and helps them to continue to be physically active. The investiagtors will now ask people living with arthritis to try out the new intervention.

Participants will receive up to five coaching sessions that aim to support people with arthritis to maintain their PA after exiting a structured exercise programme. Sessions will be delivered within community venues in a group setting by a trained provider. Sessions will last approximately between 60 and 90 minutes and will be delivered over a period of approximately 4-months.

Participants may receive a smartwatch with an inbuilt step counter such as Fitbit and diary to record their daily steps or physical activity minutes. The diary will also be used to record physical activity maintenance goals, complete action plans and self-monitor progress to build new habits. Participants can continue to use their own smartwatch if they have one.

The research team are interested to know if the programme has any effect on the amount of activity people do over time as well as looking at factors which can help with the understanding of 'why' or 'why not' a PA intervention may have worked.

Conditions

• Arthritis

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

MAintAin Activity with Arthritis

Participants will receive up to five health coaching sessions led by a trained provider. The aim is to motivate people to meet their physical activity goals, look at their options, make choices and plans, identify challenges, and help them through these changes related to their physical activity and maintenance. Session 1: One to one session with a physical activity coach Session 2-5: Group sessions with approx. 8-10 other people living with arthritis. In the sessions participants will: • Set, reflect and adapt your activity goals • Learn to problem solve • Develop action plans to build new habits. • Learn about opportunities such as walking groups, aqua aerobics and yoga classes are available in your community • Have the support of peers in the group. Please note that these sessions are not exercise classes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-01

Primary Completion

2025-09-30

Completion

2025-12-31