Abstract
Objectives. to conduct a longitudinal RCT comparing a workplace 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. 89 participants (mean age = 50.54; 88% female; 38% RA, 62% OA) were randomized into the intervention or control groups. Seventy five participants completed baseline, 12 month, and 24 month evaluations. Outcome measures: 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 Scale Index (BSI GSI). Design: two-factor (treatment, time) with repeated measures on one 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<.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<.04; p < .01, respectively) and 24 months (p<.01, p<.01, respectively). Job satisfaction (JSS) decreased at 12 months for both the intervention (p<.01) and control groups (p<.01), and at 24 months for the control group (p<.01). Conclusion. An ergonomic, work-place intervention (versus a control) is associated with decreased arthrtitis-related work difficulties over 2 years for individuals with OA and RA, as well as improvements in physical functioning and pain. © 2012 by the American College of Rheumatology
No comments:
Post a Comment