A comparison of lay-taught and professional-taught arthritis self-management courses
Lorig, K.; Feigenbaum, P.; Regan, C.; Ung, E.; Chastain, R.L.; Holman, H.R.
Journal of Rheumatology 13(4): 763-767
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 3772925 Document Number: 280405
One hundred subjects with arthritis were randomized into lay-taught, or professional-taught 12-h arthritis self-management courses, or a control group. Outcomes, knowledge, exercise, relaxation, disability, pain, and number of physician visits were measured aat baseline and 4 months. Professional-taught groups demonstrated greater knowledge gain while lay-taught groups had greater changes in relaxation (p less than .01) and a tendency toward less disability. Although it is impossible to draw definitive conclusions, this study suggests that lay leaders can teach arthritis self-management courses with results similar to those achieved by professionals.