Purpose: The purpose of this environmental scan is to gather information about existing physical activity programs for people with osteoarthritis (OA) and arthritis in general. For the purpose of this scan, a program is an activity that is structured and has a sequence. The OA Action Alliance Physical Activity workgroup is trying to understand what physical activity programs for people with arthritis already exist. Initially, the data from this environmental scan will be used as an internal work-group organizational document and/or directory of programs and services.
Methodology: A multi-pronged approach will be used to collect these data. The program information form will be distributed to:
- OAAA Physical Activity Work-Group Members (N=24)
- Other key informants identified by the PA Work-Group Members
- Laura Payne’s Graduate Research Assistant will do targeted Internet searches (using research databases such as Medline, International Council on Active Aging, National Center for Disability and Physical Activity, etc.)
Target Programs
- Physical activity programs for people with osteoarthritis
- Physical activity programs for people with other specific types of arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid, gout, psoriatic)
- Physical activity programs for various other forms of non-specified arthritis (”generic” programs that target all types of arthritis)
- Behavioral programs for people with arthritis that include a physical activity component
- Behavioral programs for people with arthritis that motivate people to be physically active
- Fall prevention programs that include balance exercises
- Worksite programs for people with arthritis
Inclusion Criteria
- Programs available in English
- Programs available in the US