Long-Term Effect of a Tablet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Group Intervention on Step Count, Fatigue, Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Arthritis: A Pilot Study.
Sarah Fiske, Jeungok Choi, Cynthia Jacelon and 1 others
PMID 38691115WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with arthritis who received a tablet program with Fitbit tracking, four weekly video CBT walking sessions, and homework reported more steps, less fatigue, higher self-efficacy, and better quality of life than controls over 10 weeks.
Small pilot.
Key findings
01Tab-G participants had significantly more average daily steps than controls, with a group mean of 6,838.51 versus 5,163.47 steps, but daily steps did not differ significantly across the four measured time points.
02Tab-G participants reported significantly less fatigue than controls, with a mean PROMIS T-score of 52.5 versus 59.32, and their fatigue scores decreased significantly from baseline to Week 8 and Week 10.
03Tab-G participants reported significantly higher self-efficacy and better quality of life than controls, with means of 7.23 versus 5.89 and 7.58 versus 6.11 on 1 to 10 scales.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was a small pilot with 40 participants, so it is not enough to confirm that the intervention works. The sample was convenience-based and mostly female, White, college-educated, married, and comfortable with technology, so results may not apply to people with different backgrounds or technology access. Participants had to be able to walk and were excluded if they already exercised regularly or had conditions limiting walking, so it says little about more active patients or patients with greater mobility limitations. The intervention bundled a tablet app, Fitbit tracking, nurse-facilitated video sessions, and homework, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. Fatigue, self-efficacy, and quality of life were self-reported, which can be affected by social desirability bias. Follow-up was only to Week 10, so the paper does not establish longer-term effects. Daily step count showed a between-group difference but no significant change across the four time points.
Declared interests
The paper is listed as supported by NIH extramural funding. The supplied text does not include an author conflict-of-interest declaration.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that tablet-based CBT alone produces long-term benefit. The study followed participants only to Week 10, was a small pilot, and bundled a tablet app, Fitbit tracking, nurse-facilitated video sessions, and homework, so no single component or lasting effect is established.