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Intervention Screening Criteria

The CDC Arthritis Program screens intervention programs for their arthritis- appropriateness, adequate evidence base, and infrastructure necessary for widespread dissemination as a public health intervention.

A journal article outlining the CDC Arthritis Program’s screening criteria and selection process for recommending interventions for people with arthritis has been published. An overview of each recommended intervention and the implementation details are also included.

Brady TJ, Jernick SL, Hootman JM, Sniezek JE. Public health interventions for arthritis: expanding the toolbox of evidence-based interventions. Journal of Women’s Health 2009;18(12):1905–1917. abstract.

Back to Intervention Programs

Physical Activity Interventions

Arthritis-appropriateness

A. Characteristics of Intervention Design

  • Participant control over activity intensity, frequency, duration
  • Instructor training reinforces participant control
  • Instruction is hands off (no touch)
  • Provides background information on fitness
  • Flexibility in measures of success (so participant feels competent and successful)

B. Characteristics of the Physical Activity

  • No contact/collision sports
  • No competitive sports
  • No jumping or high joint impact activity

C. Characteristics of the Research

  • Data available on a general adult community population (no military, elite athlete, or child-based populations)
  • Dropout rates and reasons reported
  • No safety/injury concerns raised

Adequacy of Evidence base

A. Intervention Evaluated in Present Form
 

B. Measured Arthritis Relevant Outcomes of Interest— meaningful improvements in at least two of the following categories: relieving pain, improving function (physical, mental, social, work, activity, participation), or level of physical activity.

C. Documentation of Evidence

  • Published journal article or written report
  • Sample size a minimum of 75 subjects in the treatment group, and pre- and post-test measurement or more rigorous study design
  • A six month (or greater) study follow-up.

D. Consistency of Evidence: Consistent trends in study results.

E. Studies documenting evidence are judged to have reasonable rigor.

Implementability as Public Health Intervention

A. Leader/Implementer requirements

  • Academic degree not required.
  • Leader training available, if necessary.

B. Site requirements: No special facilities beyond a community room (except warm pool for aquatic program)

C. Equipment Requirements: no special equipment more expensive than a pedometer required

D. Cost to Participants less than $50

E. Implementation Guide available

F. Supporting structures (i.e., training, technical assistance) judged to be adequate to support wide-spread implementation

Self-Management Education Interventions

Arthritis-appropriateness

A. Characteristics of Intervention Design

  • Addresses content and outcomes of the importance in managing arthritis ( as specified in the CDC Arthritis Program framework: pain, disability, and physical, psychological, or work function).
  • Based on a theoretical foundation that enhances behavior change.

B. Characteristics of Self- Management Education

  • Fosters skills important in managing arthritis, such as goal-setting, decision-making, problem-solving and self-monitoring.
  • Consists of more than information dissemination (as provided through print materials; oral instruction).

C. Characteristics of the Research

  • Data available on a general adult community population
  • Dropout rates and reasons reported
  • No concerns raised re: participant harm

Adequacy of Evidence base

A. Intervention Evaluated in Present Form

B. Measured Arthritis Relevant Outcomes of Interest— meaningful improvements in at least two of the following categories: relieving pain, improving function (physical, mental, social, work, activity, participation), or level of physical activity.

C. Documentation of Evidence

  • Published journal article or written report.
  • Sample size a minimum of 75 subjects in the treatment group, and a pre-test (3-month or more) post-test measurement or more rigorous study design.

D. Consistency of Evidence: Consistent trends in study results.

E. Studies documenting evidence are judged to have reasonable rigor.

Implementability as Public Health Intervention

A. Leader/Implementer requirements

  • Academic degree not required.
  • Leader training available, if necessary.

B. Site Requirements: No special facilities beyond a community room.
C. Equipment Requirements: No special equipment required more expensive than book, CD/DVD, or videotape required.

D. Cost to participants less than $50.

E. Implementation Guide available.

F. Supporting structures (i.e., training, technical assistance) judged to be adequate to support wide-spread implementation.

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