Motivational Interviewing for promoting physical activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In the past few years various initiatives with concern to promoting physical activity have been developed. In many studies it appeared that the participants had troubles persisting the physical activity program long term. Adding Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Self-regulation, aimed at a behavioral change, to a physical activity program could perhaps stimulate more physical activity (mainly long term).



The study concern a randomized controled trial among 120 patients with RA who are physically inactive (do not fulfill the Dutch Public Health Recommendation for physical activity; 5x weekly 30 minutes moderate/intensive physical activity) and who do not have any contra-indications for physical activity.



All RA patients with recieve information with regard to physical activity by a general physical therapist.



Half of these RA patients will further receive one MI session with a trained physical therapist and 2 self-regulation session with a trained clinical nurse specialist and two follow-up phone calls by the same clinical nurse specialist.



Main aim is to increase the physical activity level of RA patients and maintain this physical activity level long-term.

N/A

1. Baseline (all outcome measures);

2. After 6 weeks (all outcome measures);

3. After 20 weeks (all outcome measures);

4. After 52 weeks (all outcome measures).

Motivational Interviewing and Self-regulation group (one session per week):

1. 1 groupsession with regard to physical activity (why it is important, health benefits and how to become physically active) to provided by a physical therapist to stimulate that patients become more physically active in daily live;

2. 1 individual session with a trained physical therapist (motivational interviewing) to increase the internal motivation of the patient;

3. 2 individual sessions with a trained clinical nurse specialist (self-regulation) to increase the patient's selfregulation skills;

4. 2 phonecalls by the trained clinical nurse specialist.



Control group:

1. 1 groupsession with regard to physical activity (why it is important, health benefits and how to become physically active)provided by a physical therapist (same as intervention group) to stimulate that patients become more physically active in daily live.