An Integrated Mind–Body Approach to Arthritis: A Pilot Study

Arthritis affects both the physical and psychological abilities of people in all walks of life. There are currently no recommended effective ‘disease-modifying’ remedies. Therapists and physicians are therefore exploring possible benefits from non-conventional therapeutic approaches. The purpose is to assess the changes in fitness and psychosocial outcomes of six doctor-referred patients as a result of participating in the I Can Move Again (ICMA) program. Six female participants diagnosed with arthritis were recruited from a local family practitioner. The subjects participated in a series of daily classes for 12 weeks including massage, mindfulness, bounce-back chairs, resistance chairs, aerobic and anaerobic training, rebounders, and whole body vibration platform Tai Chi. Demographic, psychosocial, and physical data were collected at the ICMA and at Y-Be-Fit (Provo, UT). Significant pre to post mean differences were found for sit-ups (F (1,8) =5.42 P =0.048), chair stand (F (1,10) =6.622 P =0.028), arm curl (F (1,10) =14.379 P =0.004), six-minute walk test distance (F (1,9)= 19.188 P=0.002), and speed (F,(1,8) =13.984 P =0.006), and rotation right (F (1,10) =8.921 P =0.014) and left (F (1,10) =11.373 P =0.007), in 27 of the 61-item questionnaire. The preliminary data on the six subjects lacked sufficient statistical power to detect the significant differences that could exist, thus committing a Type II error, but it is important to note an overall, substantial trend in improvement in the patients’ physical outcomes and psychosocial perceptions associated with improvements in activities of daily living.