FRI0585-HPR A Survey of Irish Physiotherapists' Current Practice in Promoting Physical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A survey of physiotherapists' current management and the promotion of physical activity, in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Purpose: Establishing physiotherapists' management of people with rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to their promotion of physical activity, is important to ascertain if there are educational needs in this area. Materials and methods: Physiotherapists from three Irish Chartered Physiotherapy clinical interest groups (N = 457) were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online questionnaire hosted on SurveyMonkey^(R)™. Results: One hundred and sixty-eight (168/457; 37%) responded. Exercise prescription and education were the most frequent treatments, with 84% always/regularly providing same. Physical activity is a component of treatment with 52% always/regularly advising. In addition, 69% agree that physical activity is attainable, 68% safe, and 67% an important goal. However, 62% never recommend the appropriate guidelines, while 14% define physical activity according to frequently used definitions. There was a statistically significant association between longer years qualified and more years working with people with RA, when using guidelines to guide physical activity and exercise prescription. Low-intensity exercises were prescribed by however, 67% never provide high-intensity. Conclusions: Current practice is in line with guidelines in which, exercise therapy and education are considered as the mainstay. Promotion of physical activity is strong; however, two-thirds never recommend the appropriate guidelines, and only a minority defined physical activity correctly. The majority never prescribe high-intensity exercise. There is a need to develop education and training for physiotherapists in the promotion of physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Implications for rehabilitation Exercise therapy and education are considered as the mainstay in the physiotherapy management of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Those physiotherapists' who are qualified longer and have more experience working with people with rheumatoid arthritis use the relevant physical activity guidelines. Overall there is a need to develop education and training for physiotherapists in the promotion of physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Sleep and physical activity: a survey of people with inflammatory arthritis and their engagement by health professionals in rheumatology in Ireland

PURPOSE

Sleep is important in maintaining the body's circadian rhythm and in maintaining health. Aim was to investigate sleep and physical activity among people who have inflammatory arthritis and their engagement with Health Professionals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Members from a national charitable organisation for patients with arthritis and a national rheumatology health professionals society were invited to participate in separate cross-sectional surveys hosted on SurveyMonkey^(R)TM.

RESULTS

Ninety people responded and report an average of 5.7 (SD 1.46) hours sleep per night. A majority (61%) report their sleep quality as bad, with 31% taking medications at least once a week to help sleep. There was a statistically significant association between longer years with symptoms, taking medication at least once a week and limited in their activities, when rating their sleep quality as bad. Twenty eight (65%) health professional's responded with 53% discussing sleep with their patients.

CONCLUSIONS

People with inflammatory arthritis report low sleep with those having symptoms longer, taking medications regularly and having limitations with their activities, reporting poorer sleep quality. Only half of health professionals discuss sleep. More research is needed in investigating poor sleep quality, disturbances, and physical activity in order to promote health and well-being in this population. Implications for Rehabilitation People with inflammatory arthritis fall far below the National Sleep Foundations' "sleep needs spectrum", which is concerning as those who have reduced levels of sleep have been associated with decreased quality of life and physical function. Due to the importance of receiving sufficient sleep, there is a need to develop education and training for health professionals in the importance of engaging their patients in their sleep quality and disturbances. The effects of physical activity interventions on poor sleep need to be examined to show if it is a positive non-pharmacological treatment approach for the management of poor sleep in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

‘It might hurt, but still it’s good’: People with rheumatoid arthritis beliefs and expectations about physical activity interventions

Many people who have rheumatoid arthritis report low levels of physical activity. We conducted 17 interviews with people who have rheumatoid arthritis to gain insight into how they view physical activity and to explore how their levels of activity may be increased. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were generated: being active, barriers and facilitators, information and advice, and supporting physical activity. A lack of information about being active fostered negative emotions limiting physical activity participation. Improved provision of physical activity advice is warranted to promote physical activity in people who have rheumatoid arthritis.