• HausmannLeslie R MLRMCenter for Health Equity Research and Promotion.School of Medicine., Ada Youk, C Kent Kwoh, Said A Ibrahim, Michael J Hannon, Debra K Weiner, Rollin M Gallagher, and Acacia Parks.
• Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion.
• Pain Med. 2017 Oct 1; 18 (10): 190819201908-1920.

ObjectiveOsteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability for which there is no cure. Psychosocial-oriented treatments are underexplored. We developed and tested an intervention to build positive psychological skills (e.g., gratitude) to reduce osteoarthritis symptom severity, including pain and functioning, and to improve psychosocial well-being in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis.DesignTwo-arm randomized design with six-month follow-up.SettingAn academic Veterans Affairs Medical Center.SubjectsPatients aged 50 years or older with knee or hip osteoarthritis and pain ratings of 4 or higher.MethodsPatients (N = 42) were randomized to a six-week program containing positive skill-building activities or neutral control activities tailored to the patient population. Adherence was assessed by telephone each week. We assessed osteoarthritis symptom severity (WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index) and measures of well-being (positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction) at baseline and by telephone one, three, and six months after the program ended. We used linear mixed models to examine changes over time.ResultsThe majority (64%) of patients completed more than 80% of their weekly activities. Patients in the positive (vs neutral) program reported significantly more improvement over time in osteoarthritis symptom severity (P = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.86), negative affect (P = 0.03, Cohen's d = 0.50), and life satisfaction (P = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.36).ConclusionsThe study successfully engaged patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis in a six-week intervention to build positive psychological skills. Improving osteoarthritis symptom severity and measures of psychosocial well-being, the intervention shows promise as a tool for chronic pain management.2017 American Academy of Pain Medicine. This work is written by US Government employees and is in the public domain in the US.

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