OBJECTIVE. We examined whether tailored activity pacing intervention was more effective at reducing pain
and fatigue than general activity pacing intervention.
METHOD. Adults with knee or hip osteoarthritis (N 5 32) stratified by age and gender were randomized to
receive either tailored or general pacing intervention. Participants wore an accelerometer for 5 days that
measured physical activity and allowed for repeated symptom assessment. Physical activity and symptom
data were used to tailor activity pacing instruction. Outcomes at 10-week follow-up were pain (Western
Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory).
RESULTS. Compared with general intervention, the tailored group had less fatigue interference (p 5 .02)
and trended toward decreased fatigue severity (p 5 .09) at 10-wk follow-up. No group differences were
found in pain reduction.
CONCLUSION. Tailoring instruction on the basis of recent symptoms and physical activity may be a more
effective symptom management approach than general instruction given the positive effects on fatigue