P216 Promoting physical activity using mobile health technology in people living with rheumatoid arthritis: MOTIVATE RA

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly experience pain and stiffness which reduces engagement in physical activity (PA). The range of health benefits associated with PA are now well established, and include improvements in cardiovascular health and symptoms associated with RA. However, people with RA are more inactive than the general population and face unique barriers to becoming more active. Mobile health (mHealth) technology (i.e. fitness watches and apps) may provide an effective and economical solution to promoting PA in this population. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to assess the effectiveness of mHealth technology to increase PA levels and reduce disease activity in people living with RA. Methods Following ethical approval, 13 females diagnosed with RA were randomised to either an mHealth (n=7, age 47 ± 14 years; BMI 30 ± 5 kg/m2) or a conventional care (CC) intervention group (n=6, age 50 ± 11 years; BMI 25 ± 3 kg/m2). The CC group were provided with online educational material to increase PA whereas the mHealth group were provided with a personalised, progressive walking programme delivered via mHealth technology with ongoing support throughout the 12-week intervention. Prior to (week 0) and following (week 12) the intervention, participants conducted assessments remotely, with guidance from the research team. At each time point all participants wore a GT9X ActiGraph PA monitor for 7 days to quantify PA and completed a RADAI-5 questionnaire to monitor disease activity Change data between weeks 0 and 12 were analysed using independent t-tests and reported as mean difference (95% confidence intervals). Results Intervention groups were well matched in terms of age [3 years (95% CI= -12, 19); P=0.66] but differed for BMI [-5 kg/m2 (95% CI= -10, -0.1); P=0.05]. Preliminary analyses reveal no significant difference in steps per day between the mHealth vs. CC groups [323 steps/day (95% CI= -2273, 1632; P=0.72]. Similarly, no difference in RADAI-5 score was observed between the mHealth and CC groups [0.09 (95% CI= -0.28, 4.6); P=0.61]. Conclusion These preliminary data identify the potential effectiveness of a PA programme to increase PA levels in people with RA delivered via mHealth, though positive changes in mHealth are very small at this early stage. These data, in full, will be important in identifying whether this technology could be used as a cost effective, non-pharmacological management strategy for RA. Disclosure D.J. Bannell: None. M. Cocks: None. N. Goodson: None. C. Taylor: None. T. Peçanha: None. H. Jones: None. D.A. Low: None. V.S. Sprung: None.