Tagged: Employment
Work It Study and BOOST Clinical Trial Results: Two Webinars Planned for 2017
Click here to view all stories from our Year End 2016 Newsletter
Keep a look out for upcoming webinars where we’ll disseminate findings from our 2-year randomized controlled trials: 1) Efficacy of a Modified Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention for Work Disability (the “Work it Study”), and 2) Can computer-based telephone counseling improve long-term adherence to strength training in elders with knee OA? (the BOOST study).
In the Work It Study, we evaluated whether a job barrier identification and solution generation process delivered by trained occupational and physical therapists minimized work disability among people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions who were at risk of work loss over the upcoming few years. This study addresses an extremely important outcome for people with chronic rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions, with estimates showing approximately 33% of people with these conditions are unemployed within 10 years of diagnosis.
The BOOST study investigated if a remote interactive technology intervention could improve adherence to a strength training program over 2 years in people with knee OA more than an automated message to encourage adherence. The efficacy of strength training to impact pain and function for people with knee OA is well-established, but less than 15% of individuals over age 65 report doing any strength training and poor long-term adherence has been observed in other trials. An effective approach to encourage adherence to strength training activity could be helpful for this population.
Once the manuscripts are accepted and in press, we will host webinars to share our results. Stay tuned! We think we have important findings for the field and welcome discussion with our colleagues.
Clinical Trial Results the Focus of ENACT Presentations at ACR/ARHP & APTA-CSM Annual Meetings
Click here to view all stories from our Year End 2016 Newsletter
If you’ll be in San Antonio in February for APTA-CSM, Julie Keysor, PhD, PT, will be there presenting results from the “Work It Study” trial. Physical therapists delivered a novel intervention addressing work-related barriers and solutions among adults with chronic rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions who were at risk of work loss due to their health. This study could lead the way for therapists to intervene to prevent work disability for a population that is at high risk of work loss.
ENACT pre-doctoral fellow Aileen Ledingham, PT, MS will also be presenting her poster “Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: Perspectives on Telephone Technology to Support Adherence to Exercise”, an ancillary qualitative study to ENACT’s BOOST trial. With her study, Ms. Ledingham explores the BOOST participant’s thoughts and perspectives on the technology used in the BOOST adherence study. Ms. Ledingham’s work may lead to novel ways to promote adherence to physical therapy programs.
ENACT investigators also brought the results of both randomized controlled trials to the arthritis research community at the November 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Dr. Keysor presented the main results from the “Work-it” employment outcomes study during a joint ACR/ARHP on November 15th and Kristin Baker, PhD, presented results from the “BOOST” trial on November 16th.
In addition, recent ENACT graduate Molly Vaughan, PhD, DPT, presented her dissertation research to the ACR/ARHP audience. Her work, which analyzed data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) to examine, looked at the relationship between positive/negative affect and participation restriction among persons with knee osteoarthritis.
Did you miss these presentations? You can still find abstracts for all three talks here
Research Update: ENACT’s 2 Randomized Controlled Trials Have Completed Data Collection
We are excited to report that all three research projects supported by our Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) grant through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) have concluded data collection and final analyses are underway.
Through the diligent work of our center staff, our two RCTs achieved excellent retention, with both above 85% at 2-year follow up. In addition, we achieved high participation of underrepresented minorities (at nearly 30%) in both trials.
A class member learns the knee extension, one of the core exercises of the BOOST program
Continue below for project-specific updates:
Project 1 “Efficacy of a Modified Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention” (WORK-IT)–
Also called “Work-It”, our first of 2 randomized controlled trials investigated if a modified vocational rehabilitation intervention could affect work limitation outcomes among people with arthritis over two years of follow-up compared to people receiving a control intervention. Data collection concluded in December 2015 with the largest sample to date for an arthritis employment retention study! We anticipate disseminating primary results in 2016.
Project 2 “Can computer-based telephone counseling improve long-term adherence to strength training in elders with knee osteoarthritis?” (BOOST) –
Our second randomized controlled trial, the “BOOST” study, aimed to compare outcomes for participants with knee OA randomized to either a computer-based telephone counseling (TLC) or control group and determine whether or not TLC enhances adherence to and participation in exercise over 2 years. The study also aimed to determine the association of function and pain at 1 year and 2 years with adherence to the exercise program at the same time points. Data collection concluded in November 2015 and we anticipate disseminating primary results in 2016.
Project 3 “Community and Home Participation after Total Knee Replacement” –
ENACT’s third study, with both observational and qualitative arms, has concluded both data collection and analysis and results are being disseminated. This observational study aimed to explore home and community participation among persons with a total knee replacements at least 2 years to determine the risk factors associated with limited participation using the data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). The study also had a qualitative arm, which aimed to gain insight into people’s perceptions of factors that influence participation among people experiencing difficulties following a total knee replacement procedure. Two manuscripts are pending. PI Dr. Jessica Maxwell recently presented results from the qualitative arm of this study at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA-CSM).
Look for upcoming manuscripts from ENACT and for presentations on these results and more at upcoming professional conferences in 2016!
Explore ENACT’s Newly Redesigned Website
ENACT’s site may look different, but the URL is the same!
The newly updated site features a cleaner design and updated look, simplified navigation to promote access to under-utilized areas of the site, and both updated and new content areas. It is now optimized for mobile platforms and features increased font size throughout the site for enhanced readability. We’ve expanded content areas on exercise and employment and created new content on the impact of community environment on participation, our work with the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill on neighborhood walkability, and total knee replacement (TKR).
Please take a look around around our new site! Click here to redirect to the homepage
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebrates its 25-Year Anniversary
Today marks the 25 anniversary of the day that President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation guaranteed protection for people living with disabilities against discrimination in areas such as employment, public services, telecommunications, and transportation as well as provisions requiring reasonable accommodation in public and private settings.
The law is largely considered a civil rights victory for disabled Americans, enabling individuals with disabilities to assert his or her right to fully participate in and contribute to their communities. Learn more about how the ADA has affected the lives of Americans living with disabilities by exploring the ADA Legacy Project. Explore ENACT's arthritis-related resources to learn more about arthritis-related disability and work retention strategies.
ENACT Featured in Recent Edition of Inside Sargent Magazine
ENACT's research program was the focus of a recent feature in the Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Science Inside Sargent Magazine, released each year.
The story provides a comprehensive review of ENACT's ambitous research agenda, which consists of two randomized trials with long-term follow-up and a third qualitative study conducted over the course of 5 years. This research is unique in the field of rehabilitation research, looking beyond pain and mobility limitations to investigate ways to support the participation of individuals with rheumatic conditions throughout various aspects of their everyday lives such as physical activity, leisure, and employment.
Read the story in full on Sargent College's website here, or keep an eye out for the Inside Sargent magazine at upcoming ENACT and Sargent College community events.
Arthritis SOS Meeting: Session 3 – Arthritis & Employment
What impact does arthritis have on the ability to remain employed? This question was explored during the final session of the State of the Science Meeting. In the first presentation, two experts in employment-related ergonomics reviewed the potential uses of telehealth in rheumatological rehabilitation. The second presentation discussed the benefits of a community approach to sustaining employment. Finally, the third speaker presented the employer perspective.
Dr. Karen Jacobs of Boston University’s Sargent College and Dr. Nancy Baker from the University of Pittsburgh (above) discussed the uses of telehealth in rheumatological rehabilitation and its potential for growth in the field. Citing current uses in occupational therapy as examples, Drs. Jacobs and Baker delved into methods, models, and approaches used in telehealth that can provide benefit across the spectrum of clinical care, from service delivery to provision of care.
ENACT Director Dr. Julie Keysor continued this theme by reviewing progress made in the area of community interventions to sustain employment among persons with arthritis. As opposed to relying on the workplace or primary health care providers, the delivery of employment interventions within the community can provide a platform for successful job accommodation solutions. To illustrate this point, Dr. Keysor noted examples of successful arthritis interventions within the field of vocational rehabilitation.
Dr. Glenn Pransky of the Center for Disability Research at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety closed out this final session by representing the perspective of employers on sustaining employees in their professional roles. First emphasizing that clinical severity is not necessarily the most important predictor of work disability, he summarized risk factors for people with arthritis, current condition-specific interventions, and some successful strategies for promoting the ability of employees to continue working.
To access the full State of the Science meeting proceedings, click here. The slides for the presentations described above are available in full on the ENACT website.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Turns 23
On the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), ENACT wishes to take the time to remember this historic piece of legislation. The passage of this comprehensive bill was a hard-fought victory for disability advocates, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal rights under the law to have access to opportunities available to all Americans. Today, the journey towards achieving equal rights for disabled individuals continues.
As a potentially disabling disease, arthritis may qualify you for protections under this act. Take this opportunity to find out more about the ADA at http://adaanniversary.org/whatisADA and about available disability resources on the ENACT website.
Podcast 8: Arthritis and Employment Part 2: When and How to Tell People at Work about Your Arthritis or Other Rheumatic Condition
The finale of our 2 part series on arthritis and employment also features Dr. Saralynn Allaire, expert on arthritis and disability and ENACT's Associate Director. Join as as she and Karen discuss when, if and how to discuss your arthritis or other rheumatic health condition with your employer.
This month’s release is, “ When and How to Tell People at Work about Your Arthritis or Other Rheumatic Condition” (10:24)
Click here to listen to the podcast now or listen through ITunes
Next month, ENACT will launch a whole new series about ways to live actively with arthritis. Stay tuned for these exciting new topics!
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Text: Podcast 8: Print Version and Podcast 8: Key Points and References
Thank you for listening!
Podcast 7: Arthritis and Employment Part 1: Resources for Employed People with Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions
In the first of a 2 part series on arthritis and employment, Dr. Saralynn Allaire, expert on arthritis and disability and ENACT's Associate Director, discusses resources available to working people with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.
This month’s release is, “ Arthritis and Employment Part 1: Resources for Employed People with Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Conditions” (11:02)
Click here to listen to the podcast now or listen through ITunes
Next month’s topic is: “Arthritis and Employment Part 2: When and How to Tell People at Work about Your Arthritis or Other Rheumatic Conditions"
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Text: Podcast 7: Print Version and Podcast 7: Key Points and References
