Feasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual Self-management Program - A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial for Adolescents With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The aim of this project is to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a virtual group based self-management program (SMP) in adolescents with JIA across different provinces compared to a wait-list control group receiving only standard of care. Participants in the SMP group will partake in four 60-90 minute group sessions conducted over 8 weeks. The intervention is a multifaceted program that includes JIA disease education, self-management strategies, and peer support. Both the interventional and control group will be asked to complete baseline and post-test measures. Participants in the control group will be offered the SMP after completion of the post-control outcome measures.
• Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17
• Confirmed diagnosis within 2 years according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology JIA classification criteria (2)
• Followed in one of the pediatric rheumatology clinics participating in the RCT
• Able to access the Internet on a computer
• Willing and able to complete online measures