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Clinical Trial
. 2004 Aug 15;51(4):593-600.
doi: 10.1002/art.20531.

Differences between participants and nonparticipants in an exercise trial for adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Z de Jong  1 , M Munneke, L M Jansen, K Ronday, D J van Schaardenburg, R Brand, C H M van den Ende, T P M Vliet Vlieland, W M Zuijderduin, J M W Hazes
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Differences between participants and nonparticipants in an exercise trial for adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Z de Jong et al. Arthritis Rheum. .

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the generalizability of the results of a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of long-term, high-intensity exercises in the rheumatoid arthritis patients in training (RAPIT) trial by comparing the characteristics of the participants with the nonparticipants.

Methods: Participants and nonparticipants were mailed questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, reasons not to participate, and attitudes toward intensive exercise.

Results: The questionnaires from 892 (75%) nonparticipants and 299 (97%) participants were collected. The nonparticipants were slightly older, more often male, and had longer disease duration than the participants. The nonparticipants perceived their disease as more serious, used fewer disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, had a lower level of education, and a more negative attitude toward intensive exercise.

Conclusion: The results of the RAPIT trial might not be generalizable to the entire target population. To promote participation in long-term, high-intensity exercises, health professionals should more actively discuss the potential benefits of exercise with their RA patients while taking into consideration specific factors related to participation.

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