RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07222696

Healthier: Health Coaching for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis to Improve Mental Well-Being

Pilot Randomized Trial of Health Coaching for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis to Improve Mental Well-Being

Sponsor

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Enrollment

250 participants

Start Date

Jan 12, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if peer coaching works to reduce levels of anxiety and/or depression in adults diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The main questions it aims to answer are: Do people with RA who complete the intervention with a peer coach have lower levels of anxiety and/or depression at 6 months from baseline? Do people with RA who complete the intervention with a peer coach have lower levels of anxiety and/or depression at 6 months compared to those in the control arm? Researchers will compare the peer coaching intervention to an active-control arm (where people without RA coach participants on general health and nutrition topics) to see if peer coaching works to reduce anxiety and/or depression. Participants will meet with a coach every week for 9 weeks and complete several surveys before, during and after the intervention

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria7

Male or Female older than 18 years of age.
Have a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis by a rheumatologist and currently taking a Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic drug ( Conventional Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic drug and/or Biological Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic drug)
Have high levels of depression defined as PHQ-8 scores between 10 to 20, OR high levels of anxiety based on GAD-7 scores \> 10
Speaks English or Spanish
Have access to the internet, a computer, and/or a smartphone
Resides or lives in any state of the US, including Puerto Rico
Willing to work with a peer coach or a coach

Exclusion Criteria5

Having a rheumatic disease other than RA (e.g., psoriatic arthritis, gout, lupus)
Nursing home resident
History of dementia or severe cognitive decline
Are currently bedbound
Severe depression defined as PHQ-8 scores of \>20.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALPeer Coach

The method that will be used in this trial will be peer coaching. Peer coaches are lay individuals who themselves have the targeted chronic condition, that for the purpose of this study is people with RA, allowing people to identify with their peers and increase confidence that they too can achieve favorable outcomes. They will use components of CBT, mindfulness, and exercise material that have been effective in improving mental and physical health in patients with RA. The Healthier intervention is distinct from these others because it focuses on a high-priority symptom experienced by people with RA: chronic pain. It mobilizes a behavior that impacts numerous dimensions beyond pain, including mobility, mood, cardiovascular health, and mortality.

BEHAVIORALHealthy Horizons

Participants in the active comparator arm will have telephone calls with a coach that does not have rheumatoid arthritis and who will deliver a nine-session intervention on general health topics that are widely available including topics on nutrition and cancer awareness. These coaches will not use CBT, mindfulness or make any references to exercise or physical activity.