Community-based Spanish language arthritis education program - A randomized trial

OBJECTIVES. To determine 4-month and 1-year health-related outcomes of a 6- week, lay-led, and community-based arthritis self-management program for Sp anish-speaking participants and to determine the role of self-efficacy in p redicting health status for this population. METHODS. Three hundred and thirty one subjects were randomized to the progr am or to a 4-month wait list control group. One hundred ninety eight subjec ts continued in a 1-year longitudinal study. Data were collected via mailed questionnaires with telephone follow up. RESULTS. At 4 months, treatment subjects, compared with controls, demonstra ted positive changes in exercise, disability, pain, and self-efficacy (P < 0.05). At 1 year, compared with baseline, treatment subjects demonstrated i mprovements in exercise, general health, disability, pain, self-efficacy, a nd depression (P < 0.05). Baseline and 4-month changes in self-efficacy pre dicted health status at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS. Spanish-speaking participants of an arthritis self-management program demonstrate short- and long-term benefits (improved health behavior s, health status, and self-efficacy).