Rheumatic Diseases and Computer Use

Rheumatic Diseases and Computer Use: A Needs Assessment

Computers allow individuals to engage in economic, social, and entertainment activities. Despite the many benefits of computer use, many individuals with rheumatic diseases may have difficulty using a computer. However, currently there is almost no information on the problems individuals with rheumatic diseases experience using a computer. Baseline information on the types of problems experienced by individuals with rheumatic diseases as well as the magnitude of those problems is needed before methods can be developed to intervene and remediate them. In this study we will develop and administer to a representative sample of patients with rheumatic diseases a survey which will examine the type and magnitude of computer problems experienced by those with rheumatic diseases. The goal of this study is to complete a needs assessment on the problems experienced by those with rheumatic diseases during computer use. This assessment will lay the groundwork for the development of outcome measures and interventions to improve computer use for individuals with rheumatic diseases. In the future it will assist individuals with rheumatic diseases to be able to use computers more comfortably and efficiently.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Osteoarthritis; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Fibromyalgia

Detailed Description

Computers allow individuals to engage in economic, social, and entertainment activities. They are vital for full participation in many areas of society, and have become a necessity for many types of employment, particularly management and administrative positions. Despite the many benefits of computer use, many individuals with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia (FM) may be unable to use a computer due to limitations in hand function or sitting ability. These limitations can prevent the physical manipulation of computer peripherals or inhibit the ability to sit for extended periods of time at a computer. Despite the importance of computer use there is almost no information on the problems individuals with rheumatic diseases experience using a computer. Baseline information on the types of problems experienced by individuals with rheumatic diseases as well as the magnitude of those problems is needed before methods can be developed to intervene and remediate them. The aim of this study is to complete a needs assessment on the problems experienced by those with rheumatic diseases during computer use. This assessment will lay the groundwork for the development of outcome measures and interventions to improve computer use for individuals with rheumatic diseases by identifying problem areas and examine the magnitude of those problems. This study will be implemented in two phases. In Phase I (months 01-05) we will use several focus group sessions of 5-10 participants to acquire consumer input to develop and refine a survey to examine the problems experienced during computer use by people with rheumatic diseases. In Phase II the survey developed in Phase I {Computer Problem Survey (ComPS)] will be administered to a representative sample of patients with rheumatic diseases (n = ~1500) to ascertain the type and magnitude of computer problems (months 06-12). These 2 phases will be used to answer the following questions: 1. What aspects of computer use are reported to be a problem for individuals with RA, OA, and FM? 2. What is the magnitude of these problems for individuals with RA, OA, and FM? 3. How does the magnitude differ when examined by age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and work status? At the end of the study we will have gathered the descriptive data necessary to 1) begin modifying current computer performance evaluations to focus on measuring computer use performance in individuals with rheumatic diseases; and 2) develop and test interventions, such as adaptive equipment and ergonomics, to promote continued computer use for individuals with difficulties using a computer due to physical limitations.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 359

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15260
      • University of Pittsburgh

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Respondents were recruited from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Arthritis Network Disease Registry,

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, or Rheumatoid arthritis; between 18-65; in the UPMC Arthritis Network Disease REgistry

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Nancy A. Baker, ScD, University of Pittsburgh

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2005
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2005
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2005
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2005
• First Posted (Estimate): September 15, 2005

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 25, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2016
• Last Verified: January 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Rheumatic Disorders; Computer Use
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Fibromyalgia; Rheumatic Diseases; Collagen Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0502148