an On-demand Program to EmpoweR Active Self-management (OPERAS)

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis; Joint Disease
• Interventions: Behavioral: Education, Fitbit/self-management app, physiotherapist counselling.; Behavioral: Same intervention with a 6 month delay

• Registration Number: NCT03404245
• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Brief Summary

Self-management is a key component of successful chronic disease management and patients can benefit from learning about how daily activities and treatments relate to their symptoms and health status on an ongoing basis. The primary goal of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the efficacy of an e-health intervention, OPERAS, which includes two components: 1) the use of a newly developed web app to self-monitor symptoms/disease activity and treatment use, and help patients identify when a medical visit or treatment change is needed; 2) remote activity counselling provided by a physiotherapist, with the use of a wearable device (Fitbit) and the app to provide activity level feedback. The app component of OPERAS is hosted by the secure network of Arthritis Research Canada.

Detailed Description

Self-management is a fundamental component in arthritis care, however, it is often neglected as most models of arthritis care focus on early access to medical consultation and surgical interventions. Patient self-management refers to the active participation of patients in a variety of activities that contribute to lessening the physical and emotional impact of illnesses. There are several factors attributing to a lack of self-management practice, such as frustration from managing health on a trial-and-error basis, a lack of knowledge to effectively monitor symptoms and disease, and being unsure about how to manage physical activities without aggravating symptoms. The variety of risk factors highlight the need for a multifaceted approach that provides support in terms of knowledge, skill development and timely advice from health professionals, as well as motivational support for patients to be engaged in their care and to stay physically active.

Our primary objective is to assess the efficacy of an e-health intervention, OPERAS, which integrates the Arthritis Health Journal and a Physical Activity Counselling program, to improve self-management ability. Our secondary objectives are to explore the effect of the intervention on disease status and physical activity levels and to assess barriers to implementation and sustainability of the e-health intervention in (rheumatoid arthritis) RA management.

The investigators will use a mixed-methods approach, involving a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and in-depth interviews. The proof-of-concept study will employ a stepped wedge RCT design, whereby the intervention will be sequentially rolled out to participants over a number of time periods. The order in which individuals receive the intervention will be determined at random. The strength of this design is that it can properly address the efficacy question, while avoiding the dilemma of withholding the intervention to some participants, as in a parallel group design.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-01-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-01-11
• Study First Posted: 2018-01-19
• Study Start: 2019-01-23
• Status Verified: 2022-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-05-19
• Last Update Posted: 2022-05-26
• Primary Completion: 2022-12-30
• Study Completion: 2023-01-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 132

Inclusion Criteria

• a physician confirmed diagnosis of RA
• no joint surgery in the past 6 months
• no history of acute injury to any joints in the past 6 months
• an email address and daily access to a computer or mobile device.

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Exclusion Criteria

• people who should not be physically active without medical supervision.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Immediate Intervention Group	Education, Fitbit/self-management app, physiotherapist counselling.	Education, Fitbit/self-management web app, physiotherapist counselling. These 3 components will be delivered to the participants in Months 1 and 2. The session will include a short presentation about physical activity in everyday life, an individual goal-setting session with a registered physical therapist (PT), and an orientation to the Fitbit device and the web app. Participants will be provided access to a Fitbit and an app account. The PT will review physical activity goals with participants via bi-weekly phone calls and progressively modify their activities. In Month 3-6, participants will continue using Fitbit and the app and have access to a PT via email as needed, but no phone call. In Months 7-12, participants may keep their Fitbit and app account, but will not have access to a PT.
Delayed Intervention Group	Same intervention with a 6 month delay	Same intervention with a 6 month delay: The full intervention will be initiated in Month 7 and 8 with a brief education session, use of a Fitbit paired with the self-management web app, and counseling by a physical therapist (PT). In Month 9-12, participants will continue the intervention without the PT phone calls, but will have email access to PT, if needed.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Patient Activation Measure	12 months	Patient Activation Measure is a 13-item self-reported measure of individuals' confidence in managing chronic diseases. Each item has a 4-point response (1 "strongly disagree"; 4 "strongly agree"), with the aggregate raw score converted to 0-100. Hibbard et al presented a 4-stage activation model derived from the standardized scores: 1) Believing an active role is important (PAM score \<47); 2) Having confidence and knowledge to take action (47.1 - 55.1); 3) Taking action (55.2 - 67); 4) Maintaining healthy behaviours despite setbacks (\> 67.1).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index	12 months	Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index consists of: 1) global disease activity; 2) joint tenderness/swelling; 3) pain; 4) morning stiffness; 5) number/severity of painful joints. Score ranges from 0 - 10; lower = better.
Daily Moderate/Vigorous Physical Activity time	12 months	Time spent in Moderate/Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) is measured with a SenseWear Mini sensor over a 7-day period. We will calculate the mean time spent in bouted MVPA per day. A bout is defined as \>= 10 consecutive minutes at the level of \>= 3 METs (i.e., the lower bound of MVPA), with allowance for interruption of up to one minute below the threshold.
Daily sedentary time	12 months	Time spent in sedentary activity is measured with a SenseWear Mini sensor over a 7-day period. We will calculate the mean daily time spent in sedentary activity, with an energy expenditure of \<=1.5 METs, occurring in bouts of \>= 20 minutes during waking hours

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Arthritis Research Canada; 🇨🇦 Richmond, British Columbia, Canada