Open AccessPromoting self‐care in clients with arthritis
Author(s) -
Neuberger Geri Budesheim,
Smith Katharine Vogel,
Black Sharon Oetker,
Hassanein Ruth
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1790060306
Subject(s) - rheumatoid arthritis , analysis of variance , analysis of covariance , range of motion , physical therapy , medicine , repeated measures design , test (biology) , significant difference , psychology , mathematics , paleontology , statistics , biology
Preliminary work regarding the development and pilot study of an individualized instructionalprogram for rheumatoid arthritis clients is presented. The effect of the individualized instructional program was tested with 31 outpatients. Using analysis of covariance, the experimental group subjectsscored significantly higher on the knowledge post‐test when compared to scores of control group subjects (P = 0.0045). Analysis of variance for repeated measures revealed no significant difference in performance of tasks for the control group and experimental group (P = 0.08). In a follow‐up study, the effect of the self‐instructional program, practice time, and contracting were explored for their effect on adherence to self‐care activities. Experimentalgroups (n = 42) scored significantly better than the control group (n = 11) on the knowledge post‐test (P < 0.01), performance of joint protection practices (P = 0.01), range of motion exercises (P = 0.01), and adherence to joint protection practices at home (P < 0.01). Groups did not differ on adherence to range of motion exercises at home (P = 0.83).