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Exploring the health benefits of everyday activities for people with inflammatory arthritis
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Scientific Study Title:
The health-promoting potential of occupations characterized as creative and social: An exploratory study of adults with and without inflammatory arthritis
Start Date:
  • 2018
End Date:
  • 2021
Research Category
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Why did we do this research?

Inflammatory arthritis, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, can significantly limit a person's ability to carry out everyday activities, such as working, being physically active, or cooking. Surprisingly, there hasn't been much research on the specific types of daily activities that can support individuals living well with inflammatory arthritis, although these activities are important for promoting good health. This research aimed to explore the relationship between health and people's everyday activities, often referred to as "occupations," in adults with inflammatory arthritis compared to a healthy comparison group. It also aimed to understand the impact of public health measures on people's activities and health during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other than physical activity, there is little research data on the types of activities that support living well with inflammatory types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis). The purpose of the study is to explore the health benefits of people’s everyday activities, with a focus on the social and creative aspects of those activities. To identify the impact of arthritis on engaging in daily activities, we are studying adults with and without inflammatory arthritis and measuring the differences between the two groups. We expect results to identify the attributes of different activities that promote health, and offer activity recommendations for people living with inflammatory arthritis.

The aim of this research was to help us better understand how the daily activities of people with arthritis are linked to their health. This knowledge can guide us in suggesting specific activities that promote better health and provide recommendations for living well with arthritis.

What did we do?

Participants attend a two-hour group session to fill out health and activity questionnaires. Questionnaires measure physical and mental health, occupational balance, stress, and characteristics of 10 activities selected and relevant to each participant. Participants also provide blood samples using a pinprick blood test so we can measure telomere length, a marker that indicates aging at the cellular level. Participants are invited to repeat the same procedures after one year to see what happens over time. A targeted 150 participants will be involved in this study (75 with arthritis, 75 without).

Data analysis will examine the associations between health and activity characteristics, and differences between adults with and without arthritis.

COVID-19 Update:

  • The one-year follow-up portion of the study is paused due to the pandemic. However, we are inviting participants to repeat online versions of the health and activity questionnaires so we can assess the impact of the public health advisories to stay home and self-isolation.

Participants took part in a two-hour group session where they filled out questionnaires about their health and daily activities. These questionnaires measured their physical and mental health, how well they balanced their various daily activities, and their overall life satisfaction. A variety of specific tools were used for this study, such as the SF-36 Health Survey, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Participants also provided blood samples through a pinprick blood test to measure telomere length, which indicates cellular aging. Some participants also completed a second set of questionnaires during the COVID-19 pandemic, making them part of the “before and during the pandemic” population vs prior to.

What did we find?

This study revealed the following observations:

  • People with IA reported lower physical health.
  • Both groups, those with IA and those without, engaged in similar activities/occupations, such as self-care, hobbies, and life planning.
  • Both groups did not show significant differences in telomere length, suggesting that daily activities did not have a strong association with cellular aging.
  • Both groups showed that maintaining a balance of activities was connected to better mental health.
  • Both groups reported a more satisfying balance across their activities during COVID-19 compared to before the pandemic.
  • Only the group without arthritis experienced a decrease in mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • Catherine Backman, PhD, FCAOT, Senior Scientist, Rehabilitation, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Catherine Backman, Professor, UBC; Senior Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada

Co-investigators

  • Flora To-Miles, OT; PhD Candidate, (University of British Columbia)
  • Dr. Susan Forwell, Associate Professor, (University of British Columbia)
  • Dr. Eli Puterman, Assistant Professor, (University of British Columbia)
  • Flora To-Miles, OT; PhD Candidate, UBC
  • Dr. Susan Forwell, Associate Professor, UBC
  • Dr. Eli Puterman, Assistant Professor, UBC

Collaborators

  • Members of the Arthritis Patient Advisory Board, including:
  • Katie LeBlanc
  • Philippa Tattersall
  • Dr. Petra Wagman
  • Dr. Carita Håkansson

Who Funded This Research?

The Arthritis Society and the University of British Columbia Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

How Can People Get Involved?

143 people took part in this study, all non-smokers (due to the effects of smoking on health measures used in the study). Of these, 67 were adults with various types of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile arthritis. The other 76 participants were generally healthy adults without arthritis and served as the healthy comparison group. In the pandemic before-and-after study, 71 adults participated, 34 with inflammatory arthritis and with 37 in the comparison group.

Eligible participants are non-smoking adults with inflammatory types of arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile arthritis) AND adults who do not have arthritis (generally healthy).

The student PhD investigator (Flora To-Miles) oversees this study, under the supervision of the principal investigator (Dr. Catherine Backman). The Arthritis Patient Advisory Board is involved in this study, with patient partners contributing to all phases of the study, from design to sharing results.

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