The use of Motivational Interviewing to promote physical activity in patients with RA: a pilot study

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), aimed at a behavioral change, to a physical
activity program could perhaps stimulate more physical activity (mainly long
term).

To make an inventory of whether:
• Physical therapists who had a training on MI apply more MI technics and
selfregulation principles during advising of physical inactive patients with RA
that physical therapists who did not have a MI training?
• An intervention study to promote physical activity by means of MI is
feasible.

The study concern a randomized controled trial among 100 patients with RA who
are physically inactive. Half of these RA patients will receive advise on
physical activity verbally and by letter of a physical therapist who had a MI
training, and the other half will receive the same advise only then of the
physical therapist who did not have this MI training.

Intervetiongroup:
50 patients with RA will receive advise on physical activity and Motivational
interviewing consisting of:
• In the first week: 1 face-to-face session of one hour and 1 of a half hour.
• Further: contact by phone for 10 minutes to 30 minutes 1 a week during 6 weeks
• After 6 weeks: 1 face-to-face session of a hour

Controle group:
The control group will receive only receive standardized advise on physical
activity:
• Information of positive aspects of adequate physical activity, in general and
specific for patients with arthritis
• Information of physical activity programs in groups in their own hometown or
region
- Exercise groups for people with rheumatic disorders of
people with chronic diseases (for example group
exercise therapy, hydrotherapy and walk groups)
- Regular sportsactivities in groups
• Information on individual working on physical activity (exercises, individual
sporting)

The risk for the patient when participating in this study is considered as nil.