Arthritis

Intervention Programs

CDC Arthritis Program Intervention “Watch List”*

Intervention	Program Components
People Exercising Program (formerly Strong Living) (Northeastern/Layne)	Strength, Flexibility, Balance
First Step to Active Health (National Blueprint)	CV, Flexibility, Strength, Balance
A Matter of Balance (MOB/VLL) Partnership for Healthy Aging 465 Congress Street, Suite 701 Portland, ME 04101 (207) 775-1095 Fax: (207) 541-7540	A cognitive-behavioral intervention program that emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels.
Walk with Ease (Arthritis Foundation) www.arthritis.org	Newly revised (2009) group or self-directed walking program.
Tai Chi (Arthritis Foundation) www.arthritis.org	An exercise program designed to improve quality of life for people with arthritis using 12 Sun Style Tai Chi movements
Fitness & Exercise for People with Arthritis (San Diego State University/ Carol Macera, Susan Levy) Contact: Ruby Lopez rlopez@projects.sdsu.edu	Multi-component exercise program with additional emphasis on conditioning along with strength and balance exercises.

*Watch List—indicates that an interventions’ prospects for recommendation are promising, while awaiting the results of current evaluation project(s).

For Further Information:

A journal article outlining the CDC Arthritis Program's screening criteria and selection process for recommending interventions for people with arthritis has been published. An overview of each recommended intervention and the implementation details is also included.

Brady TJ, Jernick SL, Hootman JM, Sniezek JE. Public Health Interventions for Arthritis: Expanding the Toolbox of Evidence-Based Interventions. Journal Of Women’s Health 2009;18(12):1905-1917. abstract

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CDC Arthritis Program Intervention “Promising Practices”*

Intervention	Program Components
The Arthritis Toolkit www.bullpub.com/arthritis	The Arthritis Toolkit provides much of the same information as the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program in a self study format that can be mailed to participants. The self study kit includes the Arthritis Self-Help Book, information sheets, 4 exercise CD’s and an illustrated exercise guide. The kit is available in both English and Spanish from Bull Publishing.
Fit & Strong (Univ. of Illinois/Susan Hughes shughes@uic.edu)	Aerobic, strength, flexibility, balance
Fitness & Exercise for People with Arthritis (San Diego State University/ Carol Macera, Susan Levy) Contact: Ruby Lopez rlopez@projects.sdsu.edu	Aerobic, strength, core balance
Healthier Living with Arthritis (Stanford Patient Education Center) Contact: arthritis@med.stanford.edu	Internet based Arthritis Self-Management Program.

*Promising Practice—An intervention with promising preliminary data and are developing the infrastructure to support wide-spread dissemination.

For Further Information:

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CDC Arthritis Program Intervention Screening
Criteria List

Physical Activity Interventions	Self Management Eductation Interventions
Arthritis-appropriateness	Arthritis-appropriateness
A. Characteristics of Intervention Design Participant control over activity intensity, frequency, duration Instructor training reinforces participant control Instruction is hands off (no touch) Provides background information on fitness Flexibility in measures of success (so participant feels competent and successful)	A. Characteristics of Intervention Design Addresses content and outcomes of the importance in managing arthritis ( as specified in the CDC Arthritis Program framework: pain, disability, and physical, psychological, or work function) Based on a theorietical foundation that enhances behavior change
B. Charateristecs of the Physical Activity No contact/collision sports No competitive sports No jumping or high joint impact activity	B. Characteristics of Self- Management Education Fosters skills important in managing arthritis, such as goal-setting, decision-making, problem-solving and self monitoring. Consists of more than information dissemination (as provided through print materials; oral instruction)
C. Characteristics of the Research Data available on a general adult community population (no military, elite athlete, or child-based populations) Dropout rates and reasons reported No safety/injury concerns raised	C. Characteristics of the Research Data available on a general adult community population Dropout rates and reasons reported No concerns raised re: participant harm
Adequacy of Evidence base	Adequacy of Evidence base
A. Intervention Evaluated in Present Form B. Measured Arthritis-relevant Outcomes (such as physical activity level, health status) C. Documentation of Evidence Published journal article or written report Sample size a minimum of 75 subjects in the treatment group, and pre- post-test measurement or more rigorous study design D. Consistency of Evidence: Consistent trends in study results E.Studies documenting evidence are judged to have reasonable rigor	A. Intervention Evaluated in Present Form B. Measured Arthritis-relevant Outcomes (such as physical C. Documentation of Evidence Published journal article or written report Sample size a minimum of 75 subjects in the treatment group, and pre- 3-month (or more) post-test measurement or more rigorous study design D. Consistency of Evidence: Consistent trends in study results E.Studies documenting evidence are judged to have reasonable rigor
Implementability as Public Health Intervention	Implementability as Public Health Intervention
A. Leader/Implementer requirements Academic degree not required Leader training available, if necessary B. Site requirements: No special facilities beyond a community room (except warm pool for aquatic program) C. Equipment Requirements: no special equipment more expensive than a pedometer required D. Cost to Participants less than $50 E. Implementation Guide available G. Supporting structures (i.e.; training, technical assistance) judged to be adequate to support wide-spread implementation	A. Leader/Implementer requirements Academic degree not required Leader training available, if necessary B. Site Requirements: No special facilities beyond a community room C. Equipment Requirements: No special equipment required more expensive than book, CD/DVD, or videotape required D. Cost to Participants less than $50 E. Implementation Guide available G. Supporting structures (i.e.; training, technical assistance) judged to be adequate to support wide-spread implementation