Tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention to improve arthritis associated fatigue: A pilot study

This pilot study evaluated the effect of the tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention ("Tab-CBI") on daily steps, fatigue, and self-efficacy. Tab-CBI combined simple walking and a cognitive behavioral approach. An experimental pretest-posttest repeated measures design was used with 24 older adults. RM-ANOVA results showed a significant group difference (Tab-CBI vs. Comparison), F (1, 22) = 2.25, p =0.048 and time difference (baseline vs. week 4 vs. week 6), F (2, 44) =5.04, p =0.01 in daily steps. There was no significant group difference, F (1, 22) = 2.99, p =0.09, but significant time difference existed, F (2, 44) =2.65, p =0.04 in the PROMIS Fatigue scores. In the PROMIS Self-efficacy scores, no significant group difference, F (1, 22) = 0.02, p =0.90) was found, but significant time difference existed, F (2, 44) =3.27, p = 0.04. The findings provide preliminary evidence for the positive impact of Tab-CBI, but should be interpreted cautiously.