TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of a multi-component group exercise program for adults with arthritis
T2 - Fitness and Exercise for People with Arthritis (FEPA)
AU - Levy, Susan S.
AU - MacEra, Caroline A.
AU - Hootman, Jennifer M.
AU - Coleman, Karen J.
AU - Lopezb, Ruby
AU - Nichols, Jeanne F.
AU - Marshall, Simon J.
AU - Ainsworth, Barbara
AU - Ji, Ming
N1 - Funding Information:
“This project was supported under a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) Grant Number U36/CCU300430-23 . The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC or ASPH.”
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - Background: Research supports the favorable effects of exercise on physical and psychosocial outcomes in those with arthritis. Few easily disseminated, multi-component, arthritis-specific programs have been evaluated using both physical function and psychosocial measures. Fitness and Exercise for People with Arthritis (FEPA) is a new community-based, 3-month, instructor supervised multicomponent exercise program for individuals with arthritis designed to increase strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic conditioning, while emphasizing joint-protection and proper biomechanics. Purpose: To conduct a preliminary evaluation of the effects of the FEPA program on physical function and arthritis-related outcomes in individuals with arthritis. Method: Middle-aged (n = 31, Mage = 54.8 6 7.2) and older (n = 79, M age = 76.0 ± 6.6) adults with arthritis completed the instructor led FEPA program in community senior centers, churches, and adult education settings. Changes in physical function, measured using the arm curl, back-scratch test, 8-foot up-and-go, and 6 min walk and self-reported arthritis-related pain, perceived physical function, affect, and self-efficacy for symptom management were assessed using RM ANOVA. Results: Significant improvements (ps < .05) in all physical function measures were found in the older group. In the middle-aged group, significant improvements ( ps < .05) were found in the 8-foot up-and-go and 6 min walk. Self-reported physical function, pain perceptions, and self-efficacy for pain management significantly improved (ps < .05) in middle-aged participants, while only selfreported pain perceptions significantly improved in the older group. Conclusions: FEPA shows promise for improving health-related outcomes in those with arthritis, and has potential for sustainability in community settings.
AB - Background: Research supports the favorable effects of exercise on physical and psychosocial outcomes in those with arthritis. Few easily disseminated, multi-component, arthritis-specific programs have been evaluated using both physical function and psychosocial measures. Fitness and Exercise for People with Arthritis (FEPA) is a new community-based, 3-month, instructor supervised multicomponent exercise program for individuals with arthritis designed to increase strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic conditioning, while emphasizing joint-protection and proper biomechanics. Purpose: To conduct a preliminary evaluation of the effects of the FEPA program on physical function and arthritis-related outcomes in individuals with arthritis. Method: Middle-aged (n = 31, Mage = 54.8 6 7.2) and older (n = 79, M age = 76.0 ± 6.6) adults with arthritis completed the instructor led FEPA program in community senior centers, churches, and adult education settings. Changes in physical function, measured using the arm curl, back-scratch test, 8-foot up-and-go, and 6 min walk and self-reported arthritis-related pain, perceived physical function, affect, and self-efficacy for symptom management were assessed using RM ANOVA. Results: Significant improvements (ps < .05) in all physical function measures were found in the older group. In the middle-aged group, significant improvements ( ps < .05) were found in the 8-foot up-and-go and 6 min walk. Self-reported physical function, pain perceptions, and self-efficacy for pain management significantly improved (ps < .05) in middle-aged participants, while only selfreported pain perceptions significantly improved in the older group. Conclusions: FEPA shows promise for improving health-related outcomes in those with arthritis, and has potential for sustainability in community settings.
KW - Community programs
KW - Intervention effects
KW - Physical activity
KW - Physical function
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U2 - 10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.07.003
DO - 10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.07.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 23021743
AN - SCOPUS:84871415522
VL - 5
SP - 305
EP - 311
JO - Disability and Health Journal
JF - Disability and Health Journal
SN - 1936-6574
IS - 4
ER -