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Raad T, Griffin A, George ES, Larkin L, Fraser A, Kennedy N, Tierney A. Experience and perceptions among rheumatoid arthritis patients following a telehealth-delivered dietary intervention: a qualitative study. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1913-1924. [PMID: 37418002 PMCID: PMC10435597 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05382-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The effects of dietary modifications have been assessed in people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with consistent benefits reported from clinical trials. However, the lived experience of making and sustaining positive dietary changes for people with RA remains unknown. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adults with RA and their perceptions of a 12-week telehealth-delivered dietary intervention and to assess the acceptability of the programme. Qualitative data was collected via four online focus groups with participants who had just completed a 12-week dietary intervention programme delivered through telehealth methods. Thematic analysis was used to code and summarize the identified key themes. Twenty-one adults with RA (47.5 ± 12.3 years, 90.5% females) were included in this qualitative study. Overarching themes included: (a) motivation to join the programme, (b) benefits of the programme, (c) factors influencing adherence to dietary prescription, and (d) advantages and disadvantages of telehealth. The study demonstrated that a dietary intervention delivered through telehealth methods by a Registered Dietitian (RD) appears to be well-accepted and may be used to complement face-to-face care for people with RA. The identified factors influencing the adoption of a healthier eating pattern will aid in the development of future dietary interventions for a RA population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tala Raad
- Discipline of Dietetics, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences and Health Implementation Science and Technology Cluster, School of Allied Health, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland.
| | - Anne Griffin
- Discipline of Dietetics, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences and Health Implementation Science and Technology Cluster, School of Allied Health, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Elena S George
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Victoria, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Louise Larkin
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Implementation Science and Technology Centre, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Alexander Fraser
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
- Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Norelee Kennedy
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Implementation Science and Technology Centre, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Audrey Tierney
- Discipline of Dietetics, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences and Health Implementation Science and Technology Cluster, School of Allied Health, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
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