Effects of a Tailored Activity Pacing Intervention on Pain
and Fatigue for Adults With Osteoarthritis
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.