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  • What We're Working On
OPERAS Health Tracking: Tracking rheumatoid arthritis symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID19_OPERAS_2560x1440
Scientific Study Title:
Impact of COVID-19 on Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity, Symptoms, and Physical Activity Participation
Start Date:
  • 2020
End Date:
  • 2023
Research Category
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Why do this research?

People who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) do better when they are supported and encouraged in their self-care. OPERAS (https://arthritisresearch.ca/research/active-self-management-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-utilizing-a-fitness-tracker-2/) (On-demand Program to EmpoweR Active Self-management) is an easy to use web/mobile app designed for people with RA to track their health. This app helps people to “see” how their symptoms and physical activity levels change over time, together with the treatment they use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this information can be helpful for people with RA to plan all the things that they juggle in their self-care.

What will be done?

You will be asked to complete a set of questions about yourself (such as your age, sex, marital status, where you live) and also about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected you and your health. Then a staff member from the OPERAS team will contact you with the information you need to access the website and mobile app. OPERAS will allow individuals living with RA to track their health and to better manage their symptoms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As OPERAS is also available as a mobile app, people can track their symptoms as often as they like.

Click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVGHMYCPOM&feature=emb_logo) to see what OPERAS entails and how it can help you!

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • Linda Li, BSc(PT), MSc, PhD, FCAHS, Senior Scientist, Implementation Science, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-Investigators

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

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