The study included patient partners from Arthritis Research Canada’s Patient Advisory Board, clinician researchers, and the founder and president of Arthritis Consumer Experts and used the Patient Engagement in Research (PEIR) Framework. Discussions in the early phases of the ‘I START’ project outlined strategies for building, sustaining, and strengthening partnerships with potential users and those who would deliver strength training programs.

Three research studies were completed; all studies were co-developed and informed by the team. More specifically, patient partners and healthcare professionals collaborated on various aspects of this research such as informing the research questions, shaping the methodologies, and interpreting results.

In study 1 , semi-structured interview guides were co-created with input from patient partners to understand why so few people with rheumatoid arthritis engage in strength training. 13 participants with rheumatoid arthritis were interviewed to identify the barriers and facilitators they experience with strength training. They were asked to share their preferences for tailored interventions to increase participation.

Study 2 gathered and summarized the existing research on recommendations for prescribing strength training for people living with rheumatoid arthritis. We wanted to understand the reasons that encouraged or negatively impacted participation in strength training. Patient partners co-developed the research questions, and methods, helped interpret the findings, and contributed to writing the manuscript.

Study 3 reviewed existing research on tailored physical activity interventions for people living with arthritis and summarized their impact and effectiveness. Patient partners were involved in creating the research questions and methods, reviewing the findings, and identifying priority topics for the manuscript’s discussion.