Increasing Participation in Daily Activities among US Adults with Arthritis.

Objectives

This home-use study assessed participants' perceptions regarding a variety of life-style measures after taking acetaminophen extended-relief caplets or placebo as instructed for 10 consecutive days to reduce mild-to-moderate pain of osteoarthritis.

Methods

Participants maintained usual daily activities. Screening questionnaire responses assessed participants' daily pain level and pain management strategies. End-of-study questionnaire responses evaluated participants' behaviors, attitudes, and outlook related to impact of daily pain experience on lifestyle and daily activities.

Results

The acetaminophen group had significantly higher rat- ings for ability to be active throughout the day, accomplishing daily activities, waking up moving like their old selves again, feeling in charge of their pain, and doing things they like to do longer. Likewise, they found it significantly easier to live with their condition and think about things other than their pain.

Conclusions

Consistent with international guidelines, healthcare professionals can design an initial multimodal treatment plan to help patients achieve short- term goals (ie, reduced pain, more active lifestyle) and then modify that regimen (eg, alter dose of analgesic, duration of physical activity) in accordance with patients' responses to treatment, thus supporting long-term goals (eg, maintenance of independence and lifestyle) many patients hope to achieve.