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Impact of the Fit and Strong Intervention on Older Adults With Osteoarthritis

Correspondence: Address correspondence to Susan L. Hughes, DSW, Health Research and Policy Centers, University of Illinois at Chicago, 850 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60607. E-mail: shughes{at}uic.edu

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of a low cost, multicomponent physical activity intervention for older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis. Design and Methods: A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a facility-based multiple-component training program followed by home-based adherence (n = 80) to a wait list control group (n = 70). Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 2 and 6 months following randomization. The training program consisted of range of motion, resistance training, aerobic walking, and education–group problem solving regarding self-efficacy for exercise and exercise adherence. All training group participants developed individualized plans for posttraining adherence. Results: Relative to the persons in the control group, individuals who participated in the exercise program experienced a statistically significant improvement in exercise efficacy, a 48.5% increase in exercise adherence, and a 13.3% increase in 6-min distance walk that were accompanied by significant decreases in lower extremity stiffness at 2 and 6 months. Program participants also experienced a significant decrease in lower extremity pain and a borderline significant improvement in efficacy to adhere to exercise over time at 6 months (p =.052). In contrast, persons in the control group deteriorated over time on the efficacy and adherence measures and showed no change on the other measures. No adverse health effects were encountered. Implications: These benefits indicate that this low-cost intervention may hold great promise as one of a growing number of public health intervention strategies for older adults in the United States with osteoarthritis.

Key Words: Arthritis • Elderly • Clinical trial • Outcomes

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				S. L. Hughes, R. B. Seymour, R. T. Campbell, G. Huber, N. Pollak, L. Sharma, and P. Desai Long-Term Impact of Fit and Strong! on Older Adults With Osteoarthritis Gerontologist, December 1, 2006; 46(6): 801 - 814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]