Chronic Disease, Early Inflammatory Arthritis
Conditions
Keywords
peer support, peer mentor, self-management, early inflammatory arthritis, chronic disease
Brief summary
Inflammatory arthritis (IA) is a major cause of long-term disability. Peer support may be a solution to the common problem of delayed treatment. Early peer support may result in improved use of therapy, higher self-efficacy, reduced anxiety, and improved coping in the first two years post-diagnosis. The whole intervention study comprises of two parts: The first part involves the development and testing of a peer mentor training initiative, which is called Peer to Peer Mentoring: Facilitating Individuals with Early Inflammatory Arthritis to Manage their Arthritis - Peer Mentor Training. The second part, which is the focus of this study, involves the delivery of a one-on-one peer support intervention from a trained peer mentor to an individual newly diagnosed with EIA. The feasibility and acceptability of the program will be determined, as well as the health outcomes following the participation of the program.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALpeer support
A quasi-experimental, before and after study design will obtain data for planning and implementing a larger-scale study. Exposures and outcomes will be measured at baseline, 3 months (immediate post 12-week program) and 6 months (3 months post-program). Ten individuals with EIA will be recruited by brief screening interviews to ensure they meet inclusion criteria. Each pair of peer mentor and EIA participant will meet at SHSC for an initial contact. EIA participants will receive informational, emotional and appraisal support from trained peer mentors by telephone or neutral private location at a time convenient for both parties, at least once a week for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
Canadian Arthritis Network
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Have EIA disease duration within 6-52 weeks 2. At least 3 swollen joints, assessed by the treating rheumatologist, OR positive compression test for the metacarpophalangeal joints OR positive compression test for the metatarsophalangeal joints OR at least 30 minutes of morning stiffness 3. Prescription of a DMARD/biologic by the treating rheumatologist 4. Ability to speak and understand English without the aid of a secondary support person; AND 5. Capability to provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
1. IA disease duration less than 6 weeks or greater than 1 year 2. Previous or ongoing DMARD or biologic treatment 3. Inability to speak or read grade 6 English; AND 4. Inability to provide informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| DMARD adherence | 0, 3, 6 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| coping efficacy | 0, 3 6 months |
| self-management | 0, 3, 6 months |
| anxiety | 0, 3, 6 months |
| self efficacy | 0, 3, 6 months |
| social support | 0, 3, 6 months |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed