Paper Title
Examine the Effectiveness of an App-Based Intervention for Self-Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease and a global health concern, especially among older adults.Self-management programs can help patients with RA develop strategies to address disease-related problems. Accessibility to traditional self-management programs is often limited. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibilityof an online self-management program for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods:This two-arm exploratory RCT evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of using an online program for disease self-management. Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited from rheumatology departments of a medical center. Both the intervention group and the control group were provided with verbal instructions in standard rheumatology self-management care, and a booklet containing information regarding RA and self-care strategies. Only the intervention group used the online program to manage their disease. Results:Totally, we recruited 46 participants (intervention = 25, control = 21).Compared with the control group, outcome measures for the intervention group improved significantly for self-efficacy of pain at 8 weeks (B = 6.387, p< 0.05) and both self-efficacy of pain and arthritis self-management behaviors at 12 weeks (B = 9.160, p< 0.05 and B = 4.248, p< 0.001, respectively). Conclusions/Implications for Practice:The online program improved self-efficacy and self-management behaviors. A greater understanding of how technological challenges can be overcome is needed to facilitate effective delivery of a self-management program via an online program. Keywords - Online Program, Self-Management, Randomized Trial, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Self-Efficacy