Physical Activity Through Health Technology in Axial Spondyloarthritis

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find out whether a mobile app called the ExerciseRx app is a practical and helpful way for people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) to receive exercise recommendations as part of their regular rheumatology care. Researchers want to learn: Whether people with axSpA find the ExerciseRx app easy to use and helpful for supporting regular exercise. Whether using the ExerciseRx app leads to improvements in symptoms, physical function, and disease activity compared with usual care. Participants assigned to the ExerciseRx group will use the app to complete guided exercises for 20-30 minutes, four times per week. They will also receive personalized weekly step-count goals to help increase their physical activity. Researchers will compare outcomes between participants using the app and those receiving usual care.

Condition

  • Axial Spondyloarthritis

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis by a rheumatologist - English speaking - Insufficiently active (less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week) - Willing to wear a Fitbit for the study duration - Willing to have or create a Google account and download the Google Health app (previously known as the Fitbit app)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Currently pregnant - International travel or any circumstance causing lack of access to wi-fi/Internet at any point during the study period - Recent or planned surgery that may affect ability to engage in physical activity - Unable to exercise for health reasons, or a provider has recommended against exercising for safety/health reasons - Unable to walk safely without difficulty, or is a fall risk (i.e., 3+ falls in past 6 months) - History of a fall resulting in a fracture or head injury in the past 6 months - Cardiovascular contraindicators for physical activity, or history of cardiovascular problems that may be exacerbated by physical activity, as defined by their rheumatologist - Diabetes causing hypoglycemia following physical activity

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
ExerciseRx app 		the ExerciseRx app with personalized exercise recommendations, an educational handout, Fitbit-guided step goals, and physical therapy referral
  • Other: Physical activity program intervention
    Patients complete home exercise sessions given via the ExerciseRx app over 20-30 minutes 4 times per week for 12 weeks and receive daily step count goals. Patients also receive a FitBit to wear continuously throughout the study, and are given access to view their step counts via the ExerciseRx app, and receive an educational handout with exercises for axial spondyloarthritis.
Active Comparator
Usual care 		An educational handout, Fitbit monitoring without step goals, and physical therapy referral
  • Other: Usual Care Group
    Patients receive recommendations from their physicians to continue their usual physical activity as tolerated, receive a FitBit to wear continuously throughout the study, with the ExerciseRx app locked to the baseline home screen, and receive an educational handout with exercises for axial spondyloarthritis.

Recruiting Locations

Harborview Medical Center
Seattle, Washington 98104
Contact:
Joy Chan
206-744-3626
exerciserx@uw.edu

University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195
Contact:
Joy Chan
206-744-3626
exerciserx@uw.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Washington

Study Contact

Joy Chan
206-744-3626
joychan@uw.edu