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Randomized prospective study of a work place ergonomic intervention for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Baldwin Diana,
Johnstone Brick,
Ge Bin,
Hewett John,
Smith Marian,
Sharp Gordon
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.21699
Subject(s) - medicine , physical therapy , rheumatoid arthritis , randomized controlled trial , osteoarthritis , repeated measures design , intervention (counseling) , arthritis , alternative medicine , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics , pathology
Objective To conduct a longitudinal randomized controlled trial comparing a work place ergonomic intervention versus a control (i.e., provision of written educational materials) for persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) regarding employment, physical, and symptom outcomes. Methods Eighty‐nine participants (mean age 50.54 years, 87% women, 38% with RA, 62% with OA) were randomized into the intervention or control group. Seventy‐five participants completed baseline, 12‐month, and 24‐month evaluations. Outcome measures included Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) physical, symptom (i.e., pain), and role scores (i.e., impact of arthritis on employment); Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS); and Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index. The study design was a 2‐factor (treatment and time) with repeated measures on 1 factor (time) design used with baseline as a covariate for 12‐ and 24‐month data. Results Between‐group analyses indicated differences at 24 months for the AIMS2 role score ( P < 0.03), with the intervention group reporting less arthritis‐related impact on their work. Within‐group analyses indicated significant improvements for the intervention group in AIMS2 change scores for physical functioning and symptom variables at 12 months ( P < 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively) and 24 months ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Job satisfaction (JSS) decreased at 12 months for both the intervention ( P < 0.01) and control groups ( P < 0.01), and at 24 months for the control group ( P < 0.01). Conclusion An ergonomic work place intervention (versus a control) is associated with decreased arthritis‐related work difficulties over 2 years for individuals with OA and RA, as well as improvements in physical functioning and pain.