Effictiveness of the online self management training Reuma Uitgedaagd! for adults with a rheumatic disease

Rheuma is a chronic disease that has a major impact on daily life. Rheumatism
can have negative effects on well-being and functioning. This affects major
life choices such as family, leisure, work and pregnancy. Rheumatism also calls
for changes in behavior, such as taking medication and exercise. To guide and
enhance self management in adults with a rheumatic disease is an important part
of the treatment. UMC Utrecht has developed, in collaboration with the
Arthritis Foundation, an online self-management training (Reuma Uitgedaagd!)
for adults with a rheumatic disease. Recently, an usability study is carried
out to investigate the feasibility and content of the online training. The next
step is to investigate the effectiveness of the online self management training.

The purpose of the online self management training Reuma Uitgedaagd! is getting
and keeping control over living with rheumatism. The training takes place at
home via the computer. The participant is supervised by a trainer who also has
rheumatism. The trainer is trained by UMC Utrecht and a training agency
(Work21) to guide the participants during the training. The participant has two
months to finish the training. The training consists nine modules. Each module
has its own theme, such as rheuma, the treatment of rheumatism, self-management
skills, body and feelings, family, interaction with the environment, exercise,
work and looking forward. All modules consist an introduction text where the
purpose of the module is illustrated. In the reading part of the module is the
topic explained. In the exercises part the participant can do practical
exercises about the theme. In the 'more reading and more exercises part' has
the participant the choice to read more information or to do an exercise. The
first three modules and the last module are required. The other modules are
optional, depending on the needs and goals of the participant. The participant
set goals with the help of the trainer prior to the start of the training.
During the training, there are three chats between the trainer and the
participant. At the forum the participants can share experiences with each
other. The training takes 4-9 hours to complete (one hour per module).

The objective is to study the effectiveness of the online self management
training Reuma Uitgedaagd! voor adults with a rheumatic disease.

The study design is a randomised controlled trial with seven measurements.
After informed consent and T0 randomisation takes place. The controle group is
a waitlist group and receives usual care according to the directives from the
Nederlandse Vereniging voor Reumatologie. The experimental group receives usual
care combined with the online self management training Reuma Uitgedaagd! for
adults.

The experimental group follows the online self management program Reuma
Uitgedaagd! for adults.

The intervention group follows the online self management training Reuma
Uitgedaagd! Participants follow the training at their own pace but complete the
training within two months or sooner.The training takes 4-9 hours. The control
group and intervention group fill in online questionnaires. measurement T0, T3
en T6 takes approximately 25 minutes, T1, T2, T4, T5 takes approximately
5minutes. Risks associated with participation in this research are negligible.