2010 Pilot Project Results

 Leading cause of disability in U.S.  Affects 1.1million Wisconsin residents (28%)  In Wisconsin, costs related to arthritis and other rheumatic diseases- $2.4 billion annually

 Moderate intensity physical activity at least 30 minutes 5 days a week  Improves function, level of pain, and frame of mind without aggravating arthritis symptoms  Only small percentage of U.S. population

 Reluctance due to joint pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion  Fatigue, comorbid conditions, perceived negative outcomes, and lack of social support  People must enjoy what they do for physical activity

 75 million households participate in some form of gardening  Digging, lifting, bending, kneeling, etc. can put stress on joints  How can we make gardening easier on joints?

 Techniques  Tools  Physical structures  Stretches  Body mechanics

 Reduce pain  Improve mood  Change behavior

 Doctor diagnosed arthritis  Garden one or more hours per week

Intervention DVD Stretching Tool Demonstration Persons w arthritis Survey#1 Persons w arthritis Survey#2 Persons w arthritis Survey#3 Gardening Logs 6 weeks Gardening Logs 6 weeks May 2010Sept 2010 July 2010 Gardening with Arthritis Project UW-Extension Evaluation Green Bay, WI X XX

 94% female  82% age 55 and older  90% reported health as good or very good  Weekly Gardening  38% -1 to 4 hours per week  62% -5 or more hours per week

 Percentage of participants with depressive symptoms  Pre-Intervention- 24.4%  Post-Intervention- 18.9%

 Small sample size  Single group

 Larger sample size with control group  Lends itself to other areas- aging and quality of life, benefits of physical activity for other chronic conditions, etc.

Bill Wright Brown County UW-Extension 1150 Bellevue Green Bay, WI