Making Strength Training Easy for People with Arthritis

 

 

Scientific Study Title:

Facilitating Adoption of Strength Training in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis (FAST-RA)

 

 

Study Start Date:  

November 2024

 

 

End Date:

October 2025

 

 

Why Do This Research?

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis lose muscle strength, which can make it harder to do everyday activities. Strength training can help build that muscle back. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis do not engage in strength training because of:

  • pain,
  • fatigue / tiredness,
  • lack of knowledge of the correct safe exercises,
  • lack of resources that are knowledgeable about strength training for rheumatoid arthritis; and
  • the cost.

This research will test a new idea in which physiotherapy students, guided by experienced physiotherapists, help arthritis patients with exercise plans that are just right for them. The goal is to make strength training easier for people with arthritis and help them feel stronger and healthier.

 

 

What Will Be Done?

Funding will be used to expand the team of experts in digital technologies, interactive designs and information visualization.  The steps in this research include:

  • Through surveys and discussions with Clinical Education leads from 15 physiotherapy university programs, we will help to explore a new care model.
  • RA patients with lived experience will contribute their experience in finding and using exercise information and resources.

Workshops (in-person or virtual) will be held to develop a research plan and strategies, including creating a blog and infographics to disseminate the gathered information.

 

 

Who Is Involved?

The team includes:

  • Clinical Education leads from 15 universities across Canada with physiotherapy programs
  • Research team listed below
  • RA patients with lived experience
  • Technology experts

 

 

How are Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Addressed or Taken Into Consideration, Including Patient Contributions to This Research

Two patient partners, Ms. Eileen Davidson and Ms. Kelly English, have been actively involved in shaping the project concept and preparing the funding application. These contributions build on existing collaborations between the patient partners and the research team. Ms. Davidson previously co-developed a strengthening exercise prescription toolkit with Co-PI Jasmin Ma. Both Ms. Davidson and Ms. English have worked with Co-PI Li and Lacaille on research related to exercise counselling. In addition, the team collaborates with the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA), having consulted with Linda Wilhelm, President of CAPA, and Laurie Proulx, Managing Director of CAPA, on the project design. CAPA will play a key role in recruiting additional patient partners to engage in project planning and knowledge mobilization activities. CAPA has also advised on the development of a patient partner compensation plan, aimed at mitigating barriers to meaningful patient engagement, particularly for individuals from equity-deserving communities.

 

 

The Research Team

Co-Principal Investigators:

Linda Li, PT, PhD, Senior Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Jasmin Ma, PhD, PKin, Clinician Investigator, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

 

Co-investigators:

Angelina Woof, (University of British Columbia)

Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Diane Gromala, PhD, (Simon Fraser University)

Alison Hoens, MSc, BScPT, Knowledge Broker, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Allyson Jones, PT, PhD, Affiliate Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (University of Alberta)

Codie Primeau, PT, PhD, Affiliate Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (Western University)

Christopher Shaw, PhD, (Simon Fraser University)

Ellen Wang, PhD Student, (Supervisor: Linda Li), Research Trainee, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Heather Worthington, PhD Student, (Supervisor: Linda Li), Research Trainee, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

 

Patient Partners:

Kelly English, Alumni, Arthritis Patient Advisory Board of Arthritis Research Canada

Eileen Davidson, Arthritis Patient Advisory Board of Arthritis Research Canada

Laurie Proulx, BComm, Vice President, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance

Linda Wilhelm, Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance

 

 

Who Funded This Research?

Canadian Institutes of Health Research