Background/Purpose: Despite considerable advancements in pharmacotherapy treatments, millions of people still suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This puts management in the hands of the patients, requiring lifestyle changes to improve symptoms associated with RA. This study of patients with RA examined the efficacy of behavior modification in reducing RA-inducing stressors (1,2) and increasing healthy behaviors proven to reduce symptoms, healthy eating (3,4) and exercise (5). We hypothesized that the program would increase healthy habits and decrease the negative effects of RA.

Methods: RA patients (n=127) were enrolled in a 12 week behavior modification program. Each patient was paired with a non-clinical health coach. The patients were contacted once a week by telephone and surveyed about their behaviors and condition. Information about mental and physical health were collected through PROMIS Global Health-10. The Patient Activity Scale-II (PAS-II) was used to determine symptom severity and disease activity.

Results: Results indicate significant improvements in BMI (decrease 0.54 kg/m2), weekly physical activity (increase of 73%), hours of sleep per night (increase of .4 hrs), and alcohol and tobacco consumption (decrease of 15% and 25%, respectively). The effect of behavior change was shown by significant increases in physical (PROMIS physical health domain, 24%) and mental health (PROMIS mental health domain, 17%) as well as higher motivation (6%). In addition, flare frequency dropped by 48% suggesting that improvement of healthy behaviors and the reduction of stressors were associated.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that behavior modification would improve healthy behaviors and decrease RA symptoms. Future studies should examine the impact of coaching in various segments of RA patients such as underserved, those with multiple comorbidities and those newly diagnosed versus patients living with RA for multiple years.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/assessing-the-impact-of-a-digital-health-coaching-program-for-patients-with-rheumatoid-arthritis/