Arthritis & Rheumatism, Volume 63,
November 2011 Abstract Supplement
Abstracts of the American College of
Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals
Annual Scientific Meeting
Chicago, Illinois November 4-9, 2011.
How Do Self-Directed Participants Follow the Arthritis Foundation's Walk with Ease Program?
Nyrop, Kirsten A., Schoster, Britta L., Altpeter, Mary, Hackney, Betsy, Callahan, Leigh F.
Background/Purpose:
Our research team established the efficacy of the Walk With Ease (WWE) program for both a self-directed and an instructor-led group format. Self-directed participants were encouraged to walk at least 3 days/week for 30 accumulated minutes/day, and to follow the program at their own pace using the WWE workbook. The workbook includes basic facts about arthritis and exercise, motivational tools (e.g. self-check lists, walking diary), and warm-up and cool-down exercises. This study examines how self-directed participants followed the WWE components, throughout the 6-week intervention and 1 year later.
Methods:
At the end of the 6-week trial, self-directed participants completed a self-assessment survey and at 1 year a follow-up survey of their continued use of the WWE program. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics to examine how participants followed the program.
Results:
270 WWE study participants opted for the self-directed format, of which 225 (83%) completed the 6-week and 204 (91%) the 1-year survey.
At the end of the WWE program, 52% reported walking an average of 3.7 (±1.8) days/week and 31.7 (±15.3) minutes/walk. 38% described themselves as more physically active, 76% would continue walking, and 97% would recommend WWE to a friend. At 1 year, 69% reported continued walking for exercise, 61% walked about the same amount of time/minutes, 54% about the same number of times/week, and 96% would recommend WWE to a friend.
Table 1 is an overview of how participants reported following components of the WWE program. Despite wide variation in self-reported use of the workbook and related tools, 81% found the workbook somewhat/very helpful with reaching their walking goals. 58% found the walking diary helpful, and 47% read 4 or more of the 6 workbook chapters. Although participants did not do the exercises regularly, 49% found the stretching and 53% the strengthening exercises somewhat/very helpful. At 1 year, 69% continued walking for exercise, 61% walked about the same number of minutes, and 54% the same number of walks/week.
Table 1. Use of the Walk With Ease Program by Self-Directed Participants at 6 Weeks
| USE OF PROGRAM MATERIALS | Percent |
|---|---|
| WWE workbook | |
| Read 4 or more of the 6 chapters | 47 |
| Considered the workbook somewhat or very helpful with reaching walking goals | 81 |
| Self-Assessment Tools | |
| Used the Starting Point Self-Test | 39 |
| Used the Ending Point Self-Test | 12 |
| Used the Knowledge and Confidence Self-Check | 27 |
| Walking diary | |
| Used to keep track of times/distances walked | 39 |
| Tracked amount of time spent walking | 57 |
| Tracked distance walked | 25 |
| Used the walking diary to strengthen motivation to walk | 22 |
| Considered the walking diary somewhat or very helpful | 58 |
| Exercises | |
| Did the warm-up and cool-down stretches a couple of times a week | 28 |
| Thought the stretches were somewhat/very helpful | 49 |
| Did the strengthening exercises regularly | 19 |
| Thought the strengthening exercises were somewhat or very helpful | 53 |
| OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM | |
| Physical activity level | |
| Moderately or a lot more active now compared to before starting WWE | 38 |
| Key items learned from WWE | |
| The relationship between arthritis, exercise and pain | 94 |
| How to overcome physical and mental barriers to walking | 81 |
| How to exercise safely and comfortably | 90 |
| How to make a walking plan with realistic goals | 88 |
| Strategies to keep my motivation | 80 |
Conclusion:
Self-directed participants reported high satisfaction with and benefits from the WWE program, both at 6 weeks and 1 year. However, there was considerable variability in how they used specific program components. These findings indicate that the self-directed WWE format is acceptable and provides a flexible option for adults with arthritis symptoms who prefer to exercise on their own.
To cite this abstract, please use the following information:
Nyrop, Kirsten A., Schoster, Britta L., Altpeter, Mary, Hackney, Betsy, Callahan, Leigh F.; How Do Self-Directed Participants Follow the Arthritis Foundation's Walk with Ease Program? [abstract]. Arthritis Rheum 2011;63 Suppl 10 :1583
DOI:
