Below is a catalog- by topic- of the many community and online resources for patients that are described throughout the Osteoarthritis Prevention and Management in Primary Care Toolkit. Additional resources are available on the Adults and Employees landing page.
DOWNLOAD PDFAdditional Resources: Videos and handouts for Adults and Employees with OA on understanding OA and managing symptoms at home and work
Physical Activity
Exercise is Medicine® RX for Health Series
Includes downloadable handouts for patients to guide and inspire them to become more physically active. Example handouts include “Sit Less. Move More” and “Exercise Rx for Osteoarthritis.”
Arthritis Foundation’s “How to start an exercise program”
This online article written for patients with arthritis describes how to safely start an exercise program, select the right type of activity, and create a sustainable exercise plan.
Harvard Health Publishing’s “5 exercises to improve hand mobility”
Written for patients, this article describes and includes pictorial representations of 5 hand and wrist exercises that can be used to improve hand mobility.
Creaky Joints’ “8 Daily arthritis hand exercises that can soothe your pain”
Designed by an OT, this hand workout includes simple and quick stretches to improve stiffness and pain caused by arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation’s Your Exercise SolutionSM
After registering for an account, individuals can answer a few questions about their pain, current fitness level, and preferences to get personalized modifications that help them exercise safely.
Getting Started with Physical Activity for Arthritis
This worksheet from the OAAA explains how adults with OA can get started with a joint-friendly physical activity plan.
Recognized arthritis-appropriate evidence-based physical activity programs (AAEBIs)
The physical activity programs listed below are proven to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP) is a water exercise program created by the Arthritis Foundation and the Y-USA for people with arthritis and related conditions.
This classroom-based program focuses on behavior change around physical activity with emphasis on addressing barriers, increasing self-confidence, setting realistic goals, and planning for relapse.
Designed for older adults with OA, this group-based exercise program includes health education and training on safe stretching, balance, aerobic, and strengthening techniques.
The Arthritis Foundation’s 6-week program teaches participants how to safely make physical activity, in particular walking, part of their everyday life. It is offered as a self-guided course or in a community setting.
This group-based exercise and falls prevention program helps older adults at any level of fitness become more active and independent. Classes includes aerobic, strength, stretching, and balance components.
The AEA Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) is a low-impact recreational exercise program that incorporates a brief educational component.
Camine Con Gusto (CCG) Self-Directed arthritis physical activity program was developed for adults who have been either self or medically diagnosed with arthritis or have other chronic conditions and wish to be more physically active. It is delivered through a self-directed guidebook.
Fit & Strong! Plus is the physical activity plus weight loss version of the Fit & Strong! program, a recognized physical activity AAEBI.
Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) was developed to improve health with an emphasis on evidence-based efficacy and safety. Tai Chi’s Sun style was used for its ability to improve health, relieve arthritis pain, function, and its ease of use for older adults.
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® (TJQMBB) is an evidence-based balance training regimen designed for older adults at risk of falling and people with balance disorders.
Evidence-based Programs for People with OA
This video describes physical activity and self-management education programs that may be available in the community
OAAA’s Self-Management Strategies handout
This patient handout describes resources and programs available for adults with OA to support physical activity, weight loss, managing pain, self-care, social support, and medical care.
OAAA’s Exercise Plan Based on Activity Level Guide
This guide uses the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines to help patients create their own exercise plan based on their current physical activity level and directs them to arthritis-appropriate resources to help them get started.
This video features Rhoeda, a patient with OA, and Dr. Nelson, a rheumatologist, talking about weight loss and physical activity as strategies for managing OA and improving function at home and work
Weight Loss/Weight Management
The CDC developed several printable patient handouts that each focus on specific weight management tips and strategies.
- How to use fruits and vegetables to help manage your weight
- How to avoid portion size pitfalls to help manage your weight
- Rethink your drink
- Eat more, weigh less?
Obesity Action Coalition Resources
The OAC is a patient advocacy organization that offers a wide variety of brochures, guides and fact sheets on obesity and related topics including osteoarthritis.
OAAA’s Self-Management Strategies handout
This patient handout describes resources and programs available for adults with OA to support physical activity, weight loss, managing pain, self-care, social support, and medical care.
This video features Rhoeda, a patient with OA, and Dr. Nelson, a rheumatologist, talking about weight loss and physical activity as strategies for managing OA and improving function at home and work
OAAA’s The Weight & Osteoarthritis Connection
This handout provides some tips and motivation to help people get started with a weight management plan.
Can Osteoarthritis Be Prevented?
This video describes the importance of injury prevention and weight management as strategies for preventing OA and suggests actions to help reduce the risk of developing OA
Self-Management Education
Recognized arthritis-appropriate evidence-based self-management education programs (AAEBIs)
The self-management education programs listed below are proven to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis.
A 6-week classroom program, CDSMP provides useful tools to help manage symptoms related to many different chronic conditions. It includes concepts such as behavior change, goal setting, problem solving, and peer support.
Tomando Control de Salud is a self-management education program developed for Spanish-speaking people with a variety of chronic health problems.
Better Choices, Better Health® (BCBH) is an internet-based group workshop that uses content from the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Enhance®Wellness (EW) is an evidence-based program that connects participants with a trained personal health and wellness coach to improve physical, emotional, and social well-being.
The Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS), an intervention for adults and older adults with depression, aims to reduce symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation and improve quality of life.
The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP), was developed for people who have a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain. It is held during a 2.5-hour session once a week over a 6-week period.
The Workplace Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (wCDSMP) is an adapted version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP, originally developed at Stanford) for use in the workplace. The primary goals and objectives for the program are to: 1. Improve self-management skills of employees with one or more chronic conditions; 2. Improve physical and mental health indicators of employees who participate in the program; and 3. Improve work performance and productivity indicators of employees who participate in the program.
Evidence-Based Leadership Council (EBLC) Program Finder
All organizations that are licensed to host CDSMP and other Self-Management Resource Center programs are listed in a searchable directory on the EBLC website. Individuals can enter their zip code to find a program in their community.
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
The ACPA offers many print-friendly resources and tools for patients to help them track their health and behaviors and talk productively with their healthcare providers.
This handout describes OA, including the symptoms, causal factors, and treatment options in patient-friendly terms.
OAAA’s Self-Management Strategies handout
This patient handout describes resources and programs available for adults with OA to support physical activity, weight loss, managing pain, self-care, social support, and medical care.
Evidence-based Programs for People with OA
This OAAA video describes physical activity and self-management education programs that may be available in the community
Injury Prevention
OAAA’s Remain in the Game: A Joint Effort Injury Prevention Toolkit
This injury prevention toolkit includes step-by-step videos and resources tailored to keep players healthy by avoiding sports injury and letting them have more time on the field. The videos were developed by physical therapists and athletic trainers, tested by coaches and demonstrated by payers. There are also printable flyers (available as a brochure and two-page handout) to educate young athletes about the importance of preventing ACL injuries.
OAAA’s Osteoarthritis: Staying in the game is a ‘joint’ effort!
This infographic provides evidence-based recommendations on key components that should be included as part of a neuromuscular training program for prevention of major joint injury to the knee in youth athletes
OAAA’s Prevention and Self-Management Strategies handout
This patient handout includes strategies to avoid or manage OA, including a few quick and simple tips to help patients increase their daily physical activity.
FALL PREVENTION
National Council on Aging’s Fall Prevention Resource Center
These resources and handouts can be used to increase public awareness and educate older adults, caregivers, and professionals about the risks of falls and how to prevent falls.
CDC’s STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries)
These downloadable brochures, fact sheets, graphics and checklists provide older adults and their caregivers with information about falls and fall prevention. Spanish versions are also available.
Topical Analgesics
Arthritis Foundation’s “Topical NSAIDs Offer Rub-on Relief”
This article for patients explains what topical NSAIDs are, describes how to use them properly, and provides their pros and cons.
OAAA Infographics
Osteoarthritis: Staying in the game is a ‘joint’ effort!
This infographic provides evidence-based recommendations on key components that should be included as part of a neuromuscular training program for prevention of major joint injury to the knee in youth athletes. Available as a PDF and PNG.
Osteoarthritis & Comorbidities
This infographic describes OA’s co-existence with many other chronic conditions and symptoms such as heart disease, obesity, depression, and physical inactivity. Available as a PDF and PNG.
Osteoarthritis: A Serious Disease
This infographic makes the case for OA as a serious disease, including statistics detailing the personal, economic, and societal impact of OA. Available as a PDF and PNG.
Arthritis and Physical Activities: Strategies to Increase Access to Movement
In collaboration with the American Council on Exercise, the OAAA developed this infographic to spread the word about the importance of physical activity for those with arthritis, as well as strategies for implementing increased physical activity. Available as a single JPEG or in smaller, shareable sections.
OAAA Patient Handouts
This handout describes OA, including the symptoms, causal factors, and treatment options in patient-friendly terms.
OAAA’s Self-Management Strategies handout
This patient handout describes resources and programs available for adults with OA to support physical activity, weight loss, managing pain, self-care, social support, and medical care.
Evidence-based Programs for People with OA
This OAAA video describes physical activity and self-management education programs that may be available in the community
Live a Full Life with Osteoarthritis
This patient handout describes the recommended treatment strategies for OA and offers tips from other patients about how they stay motivated to keep moving
Take One Step Forward: Stay Active with Osteoarthritis
This patient handout describes arthritis-friendly exercises and provides a few tips for moving more each day
Getting Started with Physical Activity for Arthritis
This worksheet from the OAAA explains how adults with OA can get started with a joint-friendly physical activity plan.
OAAA’s Exercise Plan Based on Activity Level Guide
This guide uses the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines to help patients create their own exercise plan based on their current physical activity level and directs them to arthritis-appropriate resources to help them get started.
The Weight & Osteoarthritis Connection
This patient handout describes the connection between weight and OA and includes a few tips for getting started with weight loss
Find Your Path Through Joint Pain
This patient handout describes strategies that can help adults manage their joint pain regardless of how they spend their day (seated, standing/walking, doing heavy labor)
RESOURCES FOR WORKING ADULTS
OA Signs & Symptoms in the Workplace (postcard)
Describes OA signs and symptoms and includes tips for managing OA at work (A companion to the OA Signs & Symptoms in the Workplace video)
Osteoarthritis in the Workplace
This poster informs employees about what OA is and how it can be managed in the workplace