Suparb Aree-Ue

Impact of an integrated health education and exercise program in middle-aged Thai adults with osteoarthritis of the knee.

PURPOSE: To examine the impact of an integrated health education and exercise program on knee osteoarthritis knowledge, self-efficacy expectations, behaviors, and health outcomes including severity of knee symptoms, muscle strength, joint range of motion, and body mass index in middle-aged adults with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN/METHOD: Sixty-five participants were assigned to either Group 1 or Group 2. Both groups received a 1-day health education program followed by a facilities-based exercise program for Group 1 and a supervised home-based exercise program for Group 2, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Participants in each group had a significant improvement in study variables at 2-, 8- and 12-week follow-ups compared with baseline assessment. There were no significant differences in study variables between the 2 groups, except muscle strength and right knee flexion. IMPLICATION: Integrated health education with either a facilities-based or supervised home-based exercise program is beneficial for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The Effect of Multifactorial Intervention Programs on Health Behavior and Symptom Control Among Community-Dwelling Overweight Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA knee), especially in older adults, is the most common chronic illness and a major public health problem. Overweight older adults are at a high risk of developing OA knee and suffering from OA knee symptoms, which cause older adults to become disabled and have functional limitations. The reduction of knee pain and the maintenance of physical functions of overweight older adults with OA knee are critical. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of multifactorial intervention programs (MUFIPs) on health behavior and symptoms control in overweight older Thais with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Eighty overweight older Thais with knee osteoarthritis living in communities were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received MUFIPs, including health education, a weight-reduction/control program, a quadriceps exercise training class followed by a home-based exercise program, and a home visit program. The control group did not receive the MUFIPs. Changes in the study variables were assessed at baseline and 8- week follow-ups. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and independent t test analyses. RESULTS: The experimental group had significant improvement in osteoarthritis knowledge, illness representation, health behavior, movement ability, and joint range of motion, and had reduction in knee pain and body weight. All these variables were observed to have significant differences between experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: The MUFIPs can break down the progression of the disease among overweight older Thais with knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, and Preventive Behavior: A Comparison Between Younger and Older Women Living in a Rural Area

Osteoporosis is widely recognized as one of the major health problems in postmenopausal and older women. Raising awareness about osteoporosis is an important step in examining how much people know about the disease and their attitudes toward preventive behaviors. The aims of the present study were to examine the differences in osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and preventive behaviors between younger and older Thai women, and to examine the relationship between their osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and preventative behaviors. An understanding of these variables measured in younger and older women is essential for the development and delivery of effective age-tailored intervention programs.

Join the Movement to Have Healthy Bone Project (JHBP): Changing Behavior among Older Women in Thailand

Osteoporosis is a common silent disease in older adults presenting with fragility fractures. Lifestyle modifications may be an imperative strategy to minimize the increase of either osteoporosis or osteoporosis-related fractures. Targeted education is one way to promote osteoporosis preventive behaviors. Our aim of this study was to test the feasibility of the Join the Movement to Have Healthy Bone Project (JHBP) that was developed on osteoporosis preventive behaviors for Thai older women. By succeeding in making appropriate lifestyle changes, these women ultimately may reduce the risk of osteoporosis or fractures in later life.

Self-regulation in older Thai women with self-reported knee osteoarthritis: A path analysis

Abstract This study aimed at testing factors influencing coping behavior and health status among older women with knee osteoarthritis. A total of 274 participants completed questionnaires. Model testing revealed that self-efficacy was the most powerful predictor of coping behavior. Illness representation had a significant direct and indirect effect on health status and was a better predictor of health status than were the other variables. Understanding the complex relationships among study variables should help to tailor future interventions to better address the symptoms of osteoarthritis and to promote optimal health in older Thai women who report knee osteoarthritis.

A Systematic Review of Studies Using the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale

Purpose: To review how the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) has been used and evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: We conducted a database search using “multidimensional assessment of fatigue” or “MAF” as key terms from 1993 to 2015, and located 102 studies. Results: Eighty-three were empirical studies and 19 were reviews/evaluations. Research was conducted in 17 countries; 32 diseases were represented. Nine language versions of the MAF were used. The mean of the Global Fatigue Index ranged from 10.9 to 49.4. The MAF was reported to be easy-to-use, had strong reliability and validity, and was used in populations who spoke languages other than English. Conclusion: The MAF is an acceptable assessment tool to measure fatigue and intervention effectiveness in various languages, diseases, and settings across the world.

Long-Term Adherence and Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention for Community-Dwelling Overweight Thai Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: 1-Year Follow Up

Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of the current study was to: (a) determine participant adherence to a quadriceps exercise and weight management program after completion of the intervention; and (b) examine whether a quadriceps exercise and weight management program can reduce knee pain and improve knee function and weight loss in 40 community-dwelling overweight Thai older adults with knee OA at 6- and 12-month follow up. Twenty-nine (76.3%) participants completed at least 75% of the program. Two (5%) participants did not complete the program. In the intervention group, significant improvement was noted in knee range of motion at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline, and a significant reduction was noted in knee pain, time spent in the Timed Up and Go test, and body weight compared with baseline. These study variables, except for body weight, between the intervention group and control group were significantly different. This study highlights the benefit of long-term adherence to the multicomponent intervention for community-dwelling overweight Thai older adults with knee OA. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43(4), 40-48.].