Abstract

So far, a number of studies have shown that interventions which are specifically aimed at promoting daily physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have positive effects on patients’ physical activity behaviour. However, in many studies it was found that patients relapse in their old sedentary behaviour within 3 months after the programme.

Self-determination theory states that patient’s motivation and self-regulation skills are important aspects for behavior change. Examples of self-regulation skills are: setting realistic goals, self-monitoring and self-rewarding. One intervention that targets to increase patient’s autonomous regulation is Motivational Interviewing. One intervention that targets patient’s self-regulation skills is Self-regulation coaching.

In 2011 a 5-week combined intervention that targeted both the motivation and self-regulation skills was performed to increase physical activity in the short- and long-term among insufficiently active patients with RA. In this trial seventy-eight patients with RA were randomly allocated to receive a group-based patient education session (control), or the education session plus a motivational interview and 2 self-regulation coaching sessions (MI+SR). Patients filled-in questionnaires at baseline, 6-weeks and 32-weeks follow-up. It was found that at 6-weeks, 67% and 23% of the MI+SR and control groups met the 5 x 30 recommendation for healthy physical activity. At 32 weeks, these percentages were 48% and 25%, respectively. Based on these results it can be concluded that this minimally resource-intensive intervention combining motivational interviewing and self-regulation coaching is an effective intervention to increase physical activity levels in patients with RA. And therefore clinicians should emphasize patients’ personal motivations and skills when promoting physical activity among patients with RA.