ARTHRITIS SELF-MANAGEMENT STUDIES - A 12-YEAR REVIEW

The Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) is a program that has been developed and studied over 12 years. This paper is a summary of the results of these studies. Several conclusions have been reached. 1. The ASMP in randomized trails improves behaviors, self-efficacy, and aspects of health status. 2. Formal reinforcement does not appear to improve the long-term outcomes of the ASMP. 3. The effects of the ASMP last for as long as 4 years without formal reinforcement. 4. The improvement gains by the ASMP participants have importance both clinically and in terms of cost savings. 5. The mechanism by which the ASMP affects health status appears to be more closely linked to changes in self-efficacy than to changes in behaviors. 6. The ASMP is an intervention that can be and bas been disseminated widely.