Background/Purpose: Fatigue and arthritis are common sources of impairment in SLE patients that persist despite lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions. Walk with Ease (WWE) is the Arthritis Foundation’s 6-week evidence-based walking program developed for adults with arthritis that has been shown to improve physical function, pain, stiffness and fatigue in individuals with arthritis. WWE is offered in two formats – group (instructor led) or self-directed. The goal of this study was to examine the feasibility of self-directed WWE in SLE patients.

Methods: In an interim analysis, pre- and post-6 week evaluation with no usual care comparison group was conducted in 48 patients with SLE in North Carolina. Self-reported outcomes including symptoms (pain, stiffness and fatigue visual analog scales [VAS]) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-fatigue) scale were evaluated. Means and effect sizes (ES) with 95% confidence intervals were computed for changes in symptoms between baseline and 6 weeks, adjusted for gender, age, race, and baseline outcome. Participant satisfaction measures with WWE are reported as percentages.

Results: Two participants were screen failures, 29 participants completed the WWE program at the time of analysis, 7 discontinued the study and 6 were lost to follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences between those who did not complete the study and those who did. Participants were mainly women (90%), aged ≥ 40 years, self-identified as black (48%) and 11 years from initial SLE diagnosis. Three participants also had a physician diagnosis of OA, while four participants had concurrent fibromyalgia. At the end of 6 weeks, participants reported having reduced FACIT-fatigue scores (ES=0.33), and having less VAS pain, stiffness and fatigue (ES=0.42, 0.24 and 0.10, respectively). Most participants reported walking for at least 30 minutes/day (46%), ≥3 days/week (89%) and utilized the workbook for motivation (74%). Participants also reported increased physical activity (86%), confidence to continue exercising (100%) and satisfaction from the program (97%).

Conclusion: WWE is a feasible, low-cost program that may decrease SLE-related fatigue, pain and stiffness, improve activity and promote long-term lifestyle changes.