The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) Recommended Evidence-Based Programs – Available Nationally

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)
CDSMP is an effective self-management education program for people with chronic health problems. It is designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education such as Better Breathers, cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes instruction, etc. This program was developed at Stanford University. CDSMP workshops are held in community settings and meet 2 to 2-1/2 hours per week for 6 weeks. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with a chronic disease themselves. This program covers topic such as: techniques to deal with problems associated with chronic disease, appropriate exercise, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, nutrition, and, how to evaluate new treatments. Participants who took CDSMP demonstrated significant improvements in exercise, communication with physicians, self-reported general health, health distress, fatigue, disability, social/role activities limitations, and quality of life. Find a CDSMP in your area.

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP)
AFEP is a community-based exercise program developed by the Arthritis Foundation. Trained AFEP instructors cover a variety of range-of-motion and endurance-building activities, relaxation techniques, and health education topics. All of the exercises can be modified to meet participant needs. Exercises can be done either sitting, standing, by a wall, or a combination of any/all of the three. The program's demonstrated benefits include improved functional ability, decreased depression, and increased confidence in one's ability to exercise. Find an AFEP in your area.

Walk With Ease
The Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease Program was developed to help people with or without arthritis to begin a walking program to fit their limitations. The program’s three major objectives are to provide participants with: • Education about successful physical activity for people with arthritis • Education about arthritis management • Opportunity to begin and develop an ongoing aerobic fitness program Walk with Ease’s information and strategies are based on research and tested programs in exercise science, behavior change, and arthritis management. Sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation and based on work done at Stanford University’s Center for Research in Disease Prevention, the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina have developed Walk with Ease as a program with proven benefits. More information on Walk With Ease.

Arthritis Toolkit People with arthritis can live a healthy life by actively managing the physical and emotional problems that come with their condition. Living a healthy life with arthritis is possible with good self-management. Most self management programs are held in classroom group settings throughout the day or night. The Arthritis Toolkit is an individual program that is designed for use on your own time. Self-management is taking care of yourself, exercising, going to the doctor, eating healthy foods, and taking your medicine. It’s also taking care of your other responsibilities which might include work and family, and managing emotional changes that come with your arthritis. Self Management skills make it easier to live a satisfying life with arthritis. The keys to good self-management are learning skills and then practicing them. The Arthritis Toolkit contains information and tips that may help many people with arthritis live happier, healthier, and more comfortable lives. Obtain an Arthritis Toolkit.

These programs are utilized by Missouri’s Regional Arthritis Centers – Orvie Prewitt, a PAINS participant, leads the Kansas City area Regional Arthritis Center.