*****Please note that recruitment for this study is now closed*****
OPERAS Email: OPERAS@arthritisresearch.ca
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anZ16QOFZDU[/youtube]
We are studying a self-care program called OPERAS (On-demand Program to EmpoweR Active Self-management) for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This project will answer the question: Can an online program combining disease activity monitoring and physical activity counselling improve self-care in people with RA?
OPERAS includes:
- an orientation to the OPERAS web app
- education and physical activity counselling with a physiotherapist
- a Fitbit that links to the app.
Participants will see a physiotherapist via Zoom. They will also complete assessments at baseline, 6 and 12 months.
Funded by The Arthritis Society and Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Scientific papers published about this study include:
Effect of digital monitoring and counselling on self-management ability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Li LC, Xie H, Feehan LM, Shaw C, Lu N, Ramachandran S, Wang E, Therrien S, Mucha J, Hoens AM, English K, Davidson E, Liu-Ambrose T, Backman CL, Esdaile JM, Miller KJ, Lacaille D. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2025;64(1):310-320.
Decision-Making Around COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Implications for Self-Care Activities: Experiences of Persons With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Leese J, Therrien S, Ramachandran S, Backman CL, Ma JK, Koehn CL, Hoens AM, English K, Davidson E, McQuitty S, Gavin J, Adams J, Li LC. Rheumatology (Oxford). Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024 Jan;76(1):140-152.
Experiences of self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study. Leese J, Backman CL, Ma JK, Koehn C, Hoens AM, English K, Davidson E, McQuitty S, Gavin J, Adams J, Therrien S, Li LC. Health Expectations. 2022 Apr;25(2):482-498.
Principal Investigators:
Linda Li, University of British Columbia (Vancouver); Arthritis Research Canada
Diane Lacaille, University of British Columbia (Vancouver); Arthritis Research Canada
Co-Investigators:
Teresa Liu-Ambrose, University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
Lynne Feehan, University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
Catherine Backman, University of British Columbia (Vancouver); Arthritis Research Canada
Chris Shaw, School of Interactive Arts & Technology; Simon Fraser University
John Esdaile, Arthritis Research Canada; University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
Rob Petrella, Western University
Paul Adam, Mary Pack Arthritis Program, Vancouver General Hospital
Kimberly Miller, Simon Fraser University
Alison Hoens, University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
Cheryl Koehn, Arthritis Consumer Experts
Collaborators:
Dr. Charles Goldsmith, Simon Fraser University
Research Staff:
Johnathan Tam, Research Coordinator, Arthritis Research Canada
Technology Partner:
Tactica Interactive