Background/Purpose: In 2001, the University of Pittsburgh Prevention Research Center (PRC) developed the “10 Keys”^TM to Healthy Aging program in response to the need to promote healthy aging.  The “10 Keys”^TMfocus on systolic blood pressure (BP), smoking cessation, cancer screenings (breast, cervical, prostate, and colon), immunizations (influenza and pneumonia), blood glucose, LDL cholesterol, physical activity, musculoskeletal health (bone density test and BMI), social contact, and combat of depression.  Primary objectives of the program were collaboration and dissemination.  In 2010, the PRC partnered with the Arthritis Foundation (AF) of Western Pennsylvania and targeted older adults with arthritis or joint pain for a community-based, group-delivered intervention.  We hypothesized that the integrated program would improve preventive behaviors and outcomes targeting both arthritis and clinical assessments of preventive health goals.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used for this pilot study (N=51).  A 10-week curriculum that integrated the “10 Keys”^TMprogram into the AF Exercise Program was developed, instructors were recruited and trained, and host sites and participants were recruited.  Classes were held twice weekly in three sites and once weekly in one site.  Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and six months post-intervention and included BP, BMI, cholesterol and glucose levels, questionnaires [preventive behaviors; WOMAC scales: pain (range 0-20), stiffness, and function (range 0-68); Loneliness subscale of the Perceived Isolation scale (range 0-12); and Stanford Arthritis self-efficacy scale (range 0-30)], and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, range 0-12).

Results:  Participants were on average 75.5 (SD=9.3) years of age and primarily white (92%, n=47) women (88%, n=44) who reported an arthritis diagnosis (73%, n=37).  Thirty-eight (75%) participants attended >50% of the classes.  At six months, 50% (n=18) performed the AF Exercise Program exercises 1-2 days/week, and 28% (n=10) did so 3-7 days/week.  Baseline to six-month results demonstrated significant improvements in WOMAC function in worst knee/hip (Ms 23.0 to 17.7, p=.01), loneliness (Ms 4.3 to 3.6, p=.002), self-efficacy for communication with physician (Mdns 28.5 to 30.0, p=.006), and SPPB (Mdns 10.0 to 11.0, p=.02).  Trends in improvements from baseline to six months were seen in diastolic BP (Ms 72.4 to 69.3 mm HG, p=.07), influenza vaccinations (Ms 54% to 69%, p=.06), and WOMAC pain in worst knee/hip (Ms 7.4 to 6.2, p=.09).  Participants (92%, n=34) rated the program overall as excellent or very good.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that this pilot program was feasible, was successful in engaging community partners, and improved participant behaviors and outcomes six months post-intervention.  A clustered randomized trial comparing the integrated community program to the AF Exercise Program is underway.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/integration-of-a-healthy-aging-program-into-the-arthritis-foundation-exercise-program-six-month-results/