MedWire News: A novel 2-week program for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leads to long-term symptom improvements and reduced need for healthcare resources, show study results.
The "Challenging Pain Programme" was developed by researchers from the UK charity Arthritis Care in conjunction with RA specialists and involves two half-day training sessions by RA specialists.
The two training sessions, which are delivered a week apart, educate patients on pain management techniques such as stress management, relaxation, the benefits of exercise, and ways to avoid fatigue.
Speaking at the recent European Congress of Rheumatology held in Barcelona, Spain, Janet Cowlard (Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK) presented results from an investigation of the effectiveness of the program carried out in 186 patients with chronic and painful RA.
Cowlard told meeting delegates that patient-reported pain scores were significantly reduced by 7% and 14% at 6 and 12 months after program completion, respectively.
Furthermore, individuals who completed the program also had less need to visit their physicians and reported significantly less "health distress" than before taking part in the program. Importantly, the positive benefits of the program seen after 6 months were maintained or improved after 12 months.
"Our new programme equipped patients with the practical skills and techniques to help combat their pain, whilst also giving them an empowering sense of control and confidence in their own disease management," concluded Cowlard.