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June 9, 2008

Walking program designed for those with arthritis

Researchers at the Biomedical Institutional Review Board of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are seeking people suffering from arthritis, joint pain or stiffness to participate in a free walking program.

The free six-week Walk with Ease program will be offered jointly by the Osteoporosis Center of Haywood Regional Medical Center and the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center. To participate in this research study, contact Peggy Evans, exercise physiologist at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center, at 452-8096. To participate in the Walk with Ease program independently, contact a member of the research study team toll-free at 866-396-6240.

When interested participants call Evans for the group session, their information will be sent to the University of North Carolina and researchers there will schedule a time during evaluations on June. The program starts June 23 and is tentatively scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Exercise, particularly walking, has been shown to be beneficial for people with joint-related problems. Because of this, the Walk with Ease walking program was developed specifically to help people with arthritis safely incorporate walking into their lives.

Participants can choose to do the program in a group with an instructor, or independently on their own. Each participant will receive a free Walk with Ease workbook, and a free one-hour class, three times a week for six weeks. Those who choose to participate on their own will read the workbook and do the activities on their own over the six-week course period.

To be eligible, participants must have any type of arthritis, joint pain or stiffness; be 18 or older; and be able to move independently and without assistance. At the end of the six weeks, participants will be asked to complete a survey and take part in a recorded telephone discussion.

The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of an updated, revised version of the Walk with Ease program and to determine whether the Walk with Ease program can increase physical activity and fitness levels among individuals with arthritis over the long-term.