Long-term outcomes of an arthritis self-management programme

A previous UK evaluation of the Arthritis Self-Management Programme (ASMP) demonstrated 4 month improvements in physical and psychological well-being including increased arthritis self-efficacy and increased use of self-management behaviours such as cognitive symptom management, and reductions in pain, fatigue and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these effects were maintained at 12 month follow-up.

Twelve month data were collected via self-administered questionnaires mailed to participants who had previously responded prior to attending the ASMP and at 4 months follow-up.

The sample (n = 112) comprised 82% women with a mean age of 59.6 (S.D. 12.4) yr and a mean disease duration of 14.9 (S.D. 11.1) yr. The majority of participants had a general practitioner-recorded diagnosis of either rheumatoid arthritis (46%) or osteoarthritis (44%). Many of the changes noted at 4 months were sustained at the 12 month follow-up.

This first long-term evaluation of a community-based patient education intervention delivered in the UK suggests that after participation in the ASMP, persons with arthritis derive substantial and prolonged benefits in terms of perceived ability to manage arthritis, reduction in pain and improved psychological well-being.