SINGLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF AN EDUCATIONAL BOOKLET FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ARTHRITIS

Consecutive new attendees at a rheumatology clinic were randomlyallocated to one of three groups. All groups received routinecare, but one received no other intervention, one an educationalbooklet on arthritis and one the booklet plus instruction froma health professional. Prior to intervention, all groups hadsimilar knowledge, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and HealthAssessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score. After 6 weeks, the knowledgescore was significantly increased in both groups given the booklet,but not in the control group. The group instructed by a healthprofessional showed no greater increase than the group giventhe booklet alone. Increased knowledge was not associated withimproved clinical status and no group showed a significant'change in NHP or HAQ scores. Nearly all patients said they foundthe booklet useful. KEY WORDS: Randomized controlled trial, Evaluation, Patient education, Booklet, Knowledge, Arthritis