Effectiveness of a Telephone-Delivered Walk With Ease Program on Arthritis-Related Symptoms, Function, and Activity: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: Walk With Ease (WWE) is a six-week arthritis-appropriate evidence-based physical activity program traditionally offered in a face-to-face format. Because many populations encounter participation barriers to in-person programs, WWE was modified for telephone delivery (WWE-T). The short- and long-term effects of this program on physical activity and arthritis-related outcomes were examined.

Methods: Participants (n = 267) with arthritis were randomized to WWE-T or a wait list control. WWE-T participants received two telephone calls per week (one group and one individual call) for six weeks. Group calls focused on arthritis education and social support. Individual calls focused on problem-solving and goal setting. Physical function tests, patient-reported outcomes, and physical activity were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.

Results: Participants were 92% female and 60% Black and had a mean ± SD age of 64.1 ± 9.4 years and a body mass index of 34.2 ± 7.7. Retention ranged from 93.6% at 6 weeks to 83.8% at 12 months. Participants attended a mean ± SD of 9.8 ± 2.6 calls. At six weeks, WWE-T participants had greater improvements in physical function (P = 0.03), fatigue (P = 0.03), self-efficacy (P ≤ 0.0001), and activity impairment due to health (P = 0.01) as compared to the control group. By 12 months, WWE-T participants had better physical function (P = 0.02), higher arthritis self-efficacy (P ≤ 0.0001), lower depression symptoms (P = 0.02), and lower impairment of daily activities (P = 0.02) than at baseline.

Conclusion: A WWE-T program led to improvements in physical function, self-efficacy, and impairment related to daily activities in adults with arthritis. Although changes were not seen in all outcomes, this remotely delivered program may be an effective alternative for adults with arthritis who face barriers to in-person programs.