Stepping Up For Inflammatory Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic, systemic inflammatory disorders affecting 1-2% of the US population. Ongoing chronic inflammation and lack of exercise due to arthritis are each associated with pain, fatigue, depression, muscle loss, obesity, and development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, all of which impact physical functioning and quality of life. Increases in physical activity can significantly impact each one of these outcomes and are likely to positively impact a patients experience of their disease. This study will examine the benefits of a monitored physical activity program. This study will use a wearable activity device (e.g. fitbit) to monitor step counts and will incentivize one group to achieve higher step counts than the control group. The primary goal of this pilot study will be to determine whether one incentive (loss aversion) is better than no incentive in increasing step counts and maintaining an increased level of physical activity.

Additional outcomes of interest are patient reported disease activity (using the RAPID3 patient reported outcome) and physician measured disease activity, quality of life assessments and weight loss.

Inclusion criteria

• A diagnosis of RA or PsA by a rheumatologist
• Followed by a Penn rheumatologist
• Age 18-80
• A RAPID3 score of 3
• An active email account
• Owns a smart phone and able to download an application
• Willing to take internet based surveys weekly and allow data from a smart phone application to be uploaded

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to walk or regular use of a wheel chair or assistive device (e.g., walker or cane)
• Hospitalization within the past 30 days
• Heart or lung disease that precludes participation in an exercise study