Effects of a self-determination theory-based physical activity programme for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial

AimsThe study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of a self-determination theory-based, nurse-led, physical activity programme for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsBetween December 2019 and April 2020, this randomized controlled trial recruited 62 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis from a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. The intervention group participated in a self-determination theory-based, nurse-led, physical activity programme that consisted of Tai Chi-based physical activity, a supportive psychosocial strategy, and interactive counselling for 16 weeks, and the control group continued to undergo their usual care.ResultsThere were statistically significant group-by-time interactions in physical activity and perceived sarcopenia, which favoured the intervention group. Additionally, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the perceived therapeutic efficacy of physical activity, grip strength, walking speed, disease activity score, and health-related quality of life.ConclusionsThe programme developed in this study can be an effective and feasible approach for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in improving physical activity, selected osteosarcopenic outcomes, and health-related quality of life. Further research is required to investigate the long-term effects of this theory-based programme for postmenopausal women in diverse settings. What is already known about this topic?Tai Chi-based physical activity has been known to be a component of self-management for rheumatoid arthritis.What this paper adds?It highlights the efficacy of a theory-based, nurse-led, physical activity programme to improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.The evidenced-based programme could be transferred to postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical settings.The implications of this paper:The self-determination theory-based, nurse-led, physical activity programme can improve physical and psychosocial outcomes in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.Importantly, this nurse-led and theory-based programme is expected to be applicable to postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical settings, including both hospitals and communities.