More than 900,000 people in Ireland suffering from arthritis could significantly benefit from special training to help them self-manage their chronic illness.

The support group Arthritis Ireland is running a Living Well with Arthritis programme, which teaches non-medical interventions that can boost coping skills and improve the performance of medication to reduce pain and fatigue in arthritis sufferers.

According to a new nationwide survey conducted by Arthritis Ireland, the majority of course participants said this self-management approach to arthritis care had dramatically improved their quality of life.

Half of the 400 people surveyed said their ability to cope with pain improved following the six-week course; more than 70% increased their amount of regular exercise; two thirds of participants had a more positive attitude towards living with their condition, and 59% understood their condition better.

The Living Well with Arthritis programme teaches participants the practical skills they need to manage living each day with a chronic illness. For example, training is provided in wide variety of cognitive and behavioural pain coping strategies.

Various relaxation exercises are used to decrease muscle tension, reduce emotional distress, and divert attention from pain. Training in distraction techniques, such as pleasant imagery, counting methods, and use of a focal point, can also help to divert attention away from severe pain episodes.

In addition, cognitive restructuring is used to help arthritis sufferers identify and challenge overly negative pain-related thoughts and to replace these thoughts with more adaptive, coping thoughts.

The course also instructs participants on exercise techniques for weak and damaged joints, developed by leading physiotherapists, as well as teaching fatigue and stress coping skills; more effective use of medications; the role of nutrition in arthritis management, and new ways to communicate with family, friends, and their healthcare team.

Arthritis affects one in 5 people in Ireland – 915,000 people nationwide – yet only a fraction of this number have so far completed the Living Well with Arthritis programme, which has been running now for four years.

Professor Gaye Cunnathis type of  self-management programme show an improved adherence to medication and this has implications for disease progression, ultimately resulting in an improved prognosis.

The Living Well with Arthritis programme is delivered over a six-week period for one evening a week. Courses will commence in the autumn, at 14 locations around the country with three courses specifically for people aged between18-40.

For further information or to register for a course, please contact Svetlana on 01-6470206 or email training@arthritisireland.ie.