Thomsen T, et al. – The efficacy of an individually tailored, theory-based behavioural intervention was explored for reducing daily sitting time, pain and fatigue, as well as improving health-related quality of life, general self-efficacy, physical function and cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Outcomes confirmed that the individually tailored, behavioural intervention reduced daily sitting time in patients with RA and improved patient-reported outcomes and cholesterol levels.

Methods

• In this trial, 150 patients with RA were randomised to an intervention or a no-intervention control group.
• The intervention group received three individual motivational counselling sessions and short message service or text messages aimed at reduction of sedentary behaviour during the 16-week intervention period.
• Change in daily sitting time measured objectively by ActivPAL was considered as the primary outcome.
• Change in pain, fatigue, physical function, general self-efficacy, quality of life, blood pressure, blood lipids, haemoglobin A1c, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and waist–hip ratio were included in the secondary outcomes.

Results

• 75 patients were allocated to each group.
• Mean reduction in daily sitting time was -1.61 hours/day in the intervention versus 0.59 hours/day increase in the control group between-group difference -2.20 (95% CI -2.72 to -1.69; p <0.0001) hours/day in favour of the intervention group.
• Most of the secondary outcomes were also in favour of the intervention.