Gait, Physical Function and Quality of Life in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
How does arthritis change how children move, balance and participate in daily activities? Does joint pain change how children feel about their overall well being and ability to participate in physical activity and sport? This study will use surveys, 3D gait analysis and special physical tests to better understand these issues.
What is involved?
- This is a lab based comparative study that will compare the mechanics of gait and function, disease symptom burden and quality of life between with JIA and healthy controls. A combination of data obtained from electronic medical record (EMR) review and laboratory assessments will be pooled together over time . Function will be captured using 3-D motion analyses on an instrumented treadmill: walking and postural balance, respectively. Repeated chair rise (30sec chair stand test) and stair climb and descent will be captured in the lab area using a handheld timer. JIA symptoms will be captured using the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) and an 11-point numerical pain rating scale and a physical activity survey, along with several surveys related to how children feel about their physical and mental well being. Electronic medical records will be accessed to obtain the information collected from standard rheumatology clinic measures: Steinbrocker Scale for functional status, Physician Global, clinical musculoskeletal assessment and blood markers.
Who can participate?
- For children with JIA, patients with JIA according to International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria
- Aged 7 to 21 years who have lower extremity joint disease
- Healthy control children aged 7-21 years can participate.
Questions may be emailed to hkvincent@ufl.edu to enroll or learn more!
