Associations Between Adherence to Self-Management Activities and Change in Function and Health Outcomes in the Rehabilitation of Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the content of, and adherence to, self-management activities reported by patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), and whether adherence to self-management activities is associated with changes in self-reported health and function over a 1-year period following rehabilitation in specialized healthcare. METHODS: Participants (n = 523) reported function and health outcomes at admission, discharge, and 4, 8 and 12 months post-rehabilitation. Self-management activities reported at discharge were self-evaluated as adherence level at home. Self-management activity content was linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health coding system, and summarized as high or low adherence. Associations between adherence to self-management activities and change in outcomes were investigated using a linear mixed model approach with repeated measures. RESULTS: Self-management activities focused mainly on enhanced physical health and managing everyday routines, and seldom addressed work participation. Adherence to self-management activities was challenging with regard to structure and daily life routines, mental health, and the application of knowledge and coping strategies. Adherence to self-management activities was significantly associated with improvements in all outcomes, except for mental health and activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: Adherence to self-management activities, and creating structure and setting everyday routines at home, appear to be important for maintaining health and function over time. Rehabilitation should include a greater focus on mental health challenges and work participation.

Associations between quality of health care and clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: a rehabilitation cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The quality of provided health care may be an important source of variation in rehabilitation outcomes, increasing the interest in associations between quality indicators (QIs) and improved patient outcomes. Therefore, we examined the associations between the quality of rehabilitation processes and subsequent clinical outcomes among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). METHODS: In this multicentre prospective cohort study, adults with RMDs undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation at eight participating centres reported the quality of rehabilitation after 2 months and outcomes after 2, 7, and 12 months. We measured perceived quality of rehabilitation by 11 process indicators that cover the domains of initial assessments, patient participation and individual goal-setting, and individual follow-up and coordination across levels of health care. The patients responded "yes" or "no" to each indicator. Scores were calculated as pass rates (PRs) from 0 to 100% (best score). Clinical outcomes were goal attainment (Patient-Specific Functional Scale), physical function (30 s sit-to-stand test), and health-related quality of life (EuroQoL 5D-5L). Associations between patient-reported quality of care and each outcome measure at 7 months was analysed by linear mixed models. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients were enrolled in this study (mean age 52 years, 76% female). Primary diagnoses were inflammatory rheumatic disease (64%), fibromyalgia syndrome (18%), unspecific neck, shoulder, or low back pain (8%), connective tissue disease (6%), and osteoarthritis (4%). The overall median PR for the process indicators was 73% (range 11-100%). The PR was lowest (median 40%) for individual follow-up and coordination across levels of care. The mixed model analyses showed that higher PRs for the process indicators were not associated with improved goal attainment or improved physical function or improved health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of rehabilitation processes was not associated with important clinical outcomes. An implication of this is that measuring only the outcome dimension of quality may result in incomplete evaluation and monitoring of the quality of care, and we suggest using information from both the structure, process, and outcome dimensions to draw inferences about the quality, and plan future quality initiatives in the field of complex rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is part of the larger BRIDGE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03102814 ).

Follow-up care and adherence to self-management activities in rehabilitation for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: results from a multicentre cohort study.

PURPOSE: Follow-up care (FU-care) and self-management are recognized as important to ensure prolonged effects of rehabilitation. Objectives of this study were to explore current FU-care and self-management after specialized rehabilitation for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicentre cohort study included 523 patients who self-reported need and plans for FU-care and plans for self-management activities (SMAs) at rehabilitation discharge. The FU-care received and adherence to SMA were self-reported after 4-, 8-, and 12-months. Predictors for received FU-care and adherence to SMA were explored in multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Plans for FU-care were significantly associated with received FU-care. Younger age, better coping skills, and performing regular social activities and hobbies were significant predictors for received FU-care. Throughout the follow-up year, 221 (51%) participants had adherence to their SMA plans. Older age, regular physical activity, more severe pain, and performing regular social activities and hobbies were significant predictors for adherence to SMA. Participants with SMA adherence more often reported planned FU-care, and more frequently received the FU-care they needed. CONCLUSIONS: Planning FU-care should be integrated in specialized rehabilitation. Patients with poor coping skills and sedentary lifestyle may need more support over longer time to implement behavioral changes for healthy self-management.Implications for rehabilitationPlanning follow-up should be integrated in specialized rehabilitation as it supports self-management and receiving follow-up at home.Patients with sedentary lifestyle, poor coping skills, and depression may need more support over longer time to implement healthy self-management.Structure and routines in daily life enhance self-management.

Rehabilitation goals described by patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: content and attainment during the first year after rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: We explored the content and attainment of rehabilitation goals the first year after rehabilitation among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. METHODS: Participants (n = 523) recorded goals in the Patient Specific Functional Scale at admission and reported goal attainment at admission, discharge, and 12 months after rehabilitation on an 11-point numeric rating scale. Goal content was linked to the ICF coding system and summarized as high, maintained, or no attainment. Changes in absolute scores were investigated using paired samples t-tests. RESULTS: Goals had high attainment with a significant positive change (-1.83 [95% CI -2.0, -1.65], p > 0.001) during rehabilitation, whereas goals had no attainment with a significant negative change (0.36 [0.14, 0.57], p > 0.001) between discharge and 12 months after rehabilitation. Goals focusing on everyday routines, physical health, pain management, and social or work participation were highly attained during rehabilitation. Goals that were difficult to enhance or maintain after rehabilitation addressed everyday routines, physical health, and work participation. CONCLUSION: The positive changes in goal attainment largely occurred during rehabilitation, but they appeared more difficult to maintain at home. Therefore, rehabilitation goals should be reflected in the follow-up care planned at discharge.Implications for rehabilitationThe contents of rehabilitation goals reflect the complexity and wide range of challenges patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases experience.Positive changes in goal attainment largely occur during rehabilitation and appear to be more difficult to enhance or maintain at home.Rehabilitation interventions and follow-up care should be tailored to support patients in maintaining their attained goals for healthy self-management.Rehabilitation goals should be reflected in the follow-up care planned at discharge.