The Effect of Educational Program on Self-efficacy of Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic and inflammatory disorder which is the major cause of disability in adults. Patient training is a vital aspect of nursing care for people with arthritis aiming to enable them to live as independently as possible. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the educational program on self-efficacy on women with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: This study was an open randomized controlled clinical trial during May to July 2013. Women (64 participants) with confirmed RA and a mean±SD age of 48.6±9.83 years were enrolled; they were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (32 in each group). The patients in the intervention group participated in a training programs consisting of two 30-minute sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Data were collected by using Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) and demographic questionnaire. ASES questionnaire was filled in three times by the participants: before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20, and statistical tests including Chi-square and t-test. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean of self-efficacy scores of the intervention group, immediately and three months after the intervention, significantly enhanced in all dimensions compared with the control group (P<0.001, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that training programs is effective for improving self-efficacy in the patients suffering from RA by raising their awareness towards their disease and methods of adaptation with it. But as to the sustainability of the impact of educational courses on self-efficacy, it seems that more research is required. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201308187531N3