Staying Active With Arthritis: RCT of Physical Activity for Older Adults With Osteoarthritis and Hypertension

The 24-week modified Staying Active with Arthritis (STAR) intervention, guided by self-efficacy theory and modified to address comorbid hypertension, consists of 6 weekly individual face-to-face exercise sessions by a licensed physical therapist, 9 biweekly telephone counseling sessions by a registered nurse to continue the use of self-efficacy strategies, and lower extremity exercise and fitness walking being carried out at home between sessions. There will be no contact with participants during weeks 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. During the 6-month follow-up period, the participants will be contacted briefly by telephone by a registered nurse at weeks 30, 36, and 48 for a general check-up.

Attention-Control is a 24-week general health education program for older adults that consists of 6 weekly telephone sessions by a registered nurse followed by 9 biweekly telephone sessions by a registered nurse. There will be no contact with participants during weeks 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. Topics include cancer screenings; immunizations; osteoporosis; low vision; hearing loss; talking with your primary care provider; eating healthy (two parts); sleep and aging; injury prevention (two parts: balance problems and falls); oral health; foot care; and mental health (depression). During the 6-month follow-up period, the participants will be contacted briefly by telephone by a registered nurse at weeks 30, 36, and 48 for a general check-up.