Supplementary Table

Table 1: Characteristics of RCTs included in systematic review

Author F/M Age Inclusion Intervention Control Duration Outcomes and Year (years) criteria & frequency of interventi on John et al 80/20 IG: 62.19  Age >18 CVD patient education programme for Given 8 weeks Primary outcome 2013 CG: 60.81 years people with RA information Weekly measure  Medical  Explores current beliefs about leaflet to read at 2.5 hour Heart Disease Fact diagnosis of CVD and responses to learning home meetings Questionnaire RA about the increased CVD risk in weeks Rheumatoid Arthritis  Ability to associated with RA 1-4 and Secondary outcome speak, read  Important role of lifestyle week 8 measures and write in modifications discussed Psychological English  Individuals challenged to measures  Agreeing to determine and commit to a (a) Attitudes to participate specific behaviour change for behaviour change in an 8- themselves (b) Perceived week small-  Graded goal setting used as a behavioural control group technique to help them achieve over behaviour change education this goal (c) Behavioural programme intention towards  Agree to behaviour change attend a Behavioural outcomes research (a) Smoking status clinic to (b) International collect Physical Activity outcome Questionnaire data at (c) Short semi baseline and quantitative food 2 and 6 group questionnaire months later Clinical outcomes (a) BMI (b) Blood pressure (c) Lipid profile Brodin et 169/59 IG: 54  RA Individual coaching by a physical Access to 1 year Primary outcome Author F/M Age Inclusion Intervention Control Duration Outcomes and Year (years) criteria & frequency of interventi on al 2008 CG: 56 diagnosis therapist 'ordinary measure (American  Information about the benefits of physical therapy EuqoQoL VAS - College of physical activity treatment' perceived health status Rheumatolo  Discussion about their body (patient Secondary outcome gy function and possibilities for education, measures criteria 198 physical activity treatment with Customised PA 7)  Goals for physical activity were physical questionnaire  < two years formulated and documented modalities) and Muscle Function: since  Discussion of perceived obstacles to organised  Grippit diagnosis successful implementation exercise a  Timed-Stands Test  Ability to  Discussion of problem-solving maximum of Escola Paulista de undergo strategies to help overcome present twice per week Medicina RoM body and future barriers. Balance function  Continuous telephone support was Pain VAS testing and given after 1 week and then once Health Assessment answer monthly by the coach Questionaire questionnair Goal achievement es DAS-28 Van den 122/31 IG: 49.5  Clinical Individualised training programme General training 1 year Primary outcome Berg et al CG: 49.8 diagnosis of  Web pages of individualized programme measure 2006 RA training provided a weekly, detailed  Access to Web Customised PA (American personal physical activity program pages with questionnaire College of (muscle strengthening exercises, general regarding proportion Rheumatolo ROM exercises and cycling on a information of patients meeting gy 1987) bicycle ergometer) about aerobic, Dutch public health  Not  Program performed 5 times a week muscle physical activity physically on 5 separate days strengthening, recommendations active for 30  Patients sent back a completed and ROM Secondary outcome minutes in program schedule by e-mail weekly exercises and measures succession  New schedule put on the promotion of Total number of at a individual’s personal Web page PA in patients days/week during moderate weekly with RA which patients intensity  Advised to engage in forms of  Advised to reported being level on at physical activity other than using the perform the moderately active for 30 minutes Author F/M Age Inclusion Intervention Control Duration Outcomes and Year (years) criteria & frequency of interventi on least 5 days bicycle ergometer recommended accumulated a week  Other forms of physical activity activities on at throughout the day or  availability were advised for the remaining 2 least 5 days a vigorously active for of a days of the week week 20 minutes in computer  Weekly, individual distant (suggestions succession with supervision by e-mail from 2 given about Activity monitor Internet experienced physical therapists how intensity, Actilog V3.0 facilities  Invited to group meetings once frequency, and McMaster Toronto  Able to every 3 months (new exercises were duration could Arthritis (MACTAR) cycle on a demonstrated by the physical be gradually Patient Preference bicycle therapists, extra information about increased to Disability ergometer exercise and arthritis was given, and reach goal of Questionnaire  Interested in patients’ experiences exchanged) 30 minutes of Health Assessment a study on a  Contacts among group members moderate PA Questionnaire physical facilitated by a discussion forum on on at least 5 RA Quality of Life activity the IT group’s Web pages Self- days a week) RAND 36-Item Health program management strategies tailored to  Could order a Survey the patient’s needs were addressed free copy of a DAS28 during the group meetings and in CD-ROM of individual contacts advice about increasing PA  Web pages updated with new activities and exercises, news items, and online leaflets

Mayoux- IG: 90%/10% IG: 55.3  Diagnosis  2 information booklets (home-based  Usual medical  8 weeks Primary outcome Benhamou CG: 89%/11% CG: 54.3 of RA exercise programme and leisure PA care (could  One 5 measure et al (n=208) (ACR 1987) recommendations) include hour Compliance with (2008)  Aged 18-80  4 sessions of physical programme individual group home-based years  Sessions initiated by a physician's physical session programme therapy only if Secondary outcome Author F/M Age Inclusion Intervention Control Duration Outcomes and Year (years) criteria & frequency of interventi on  Received lecture focused on guidelines for considered per week measures stable doses practicing adequate physical activity necessary by Baecke questionnaire of disease- & discussion aimed to enhance the attending DAS28 modifying positive attitudes and beliefs related physician 50-foot walk test drugs in to exercise (1 hour)  2 information Health Assessmnent past 3  Tailored advice and individual booklets Questionaire months approaches provided to offset (home-based Hospital and Anxiety  Steinbocker physical & psychological barriers to exercise Depression Scale functional exercise programme Arthritis Helplessness class of I, II,  Instructions on how to incorporate and leisure PA Index III moderate physical activity into their recommendatio Arthritis Impact daily lives, find enjoyable and ns) Measurement Scale attainable activities, and modify the Functional programme according to their Assessment of current health Chronic Illness  OT intervention: 1 hour education Therapy Fatigue on joint protection, proper footwear Exercise compliance and use of splints/adaptive aids  PT intervention: practice of home- based exercise and aerobic activities. 1 hour devoted to aquatic or relaxation training.  Attended meeting at 6 months to reinforce programme  Home-based exercise programme: 10 exercises (ROM and strengthening)  Encouraged to practice at least and alternately 3 exercises each day according to their joint involvement and their current physical activities Knittle et IG: 30/8 IG:60.7  Aged older Group Education session Group Education 18 weeks Primary outcome al 2013 CG: 22/8 CG:64.7 than 18  Information on physical activity session measure  Diagnosis  Information on Leisure time PA Author F/M Age Inclusion Intervention Control Duration Outcomes and Year (years) criteria & frequency of interventi on with RA 1:1 motivational physical Secondary outcome (ACR 1987) interviewing on activity measures  Attended participating in physical Short Questionnaire to outpatient activity Assess Health rheumatolog  Set a long-term goal and received an Enhancing Physical y exercise diary Activity department  Instructed to complete the exercise Self-efficacy: 18 item of either diary on seven consecutive days and questionnaire Leiden bring it along to first self-regulation (Bandura) University coaching session Treatment Self- Medical Regulation Center, 1:1 self-regulation Questionnaire HAGA coaching sessions Rheumatoid Arthritis Hospital, or  Barrier identification and problem Disease Activity Index Reinier solving (coping planning), breaking Health Assessment DeGraaf large goals down into smaller ones, Questionnaire Gasthuis activating social support, self- Brief Symptom reward, use of reminders to be Inventory (depression) physically active Checklist of  3 follow-up phone calls using 1:1 Individual Strengths self-regulation techniques at 6, 12 (fatigue) and 18 weeks Minor et al 85%/15% 54.3  Diagnosis Aerobic walking group Range of motion 12 weeks Primary outcome 1989 (n=120) of RA (1958 or exercise control 1 hour measure criteria) Aerobic aquatics group group class x 3 Not reported  Symptomati  Taught to measure own pulse rates  Taught to times per Secondary outcome c weight-  Encouraged to continue exercising measure own week measures bearing after 12 week programme pulse rates  Exercise tolerance joints  Informed about exercise  Encouraged to (Naughton  Aged 20 opportunities in the community continue protocol) years or  Positive feedback provided after 12 exercising  Trunk flexibility older week assessment after 12 week (sit and reach test)  Disease programme  Joint examination duration > 6  Informed  Grip strength Author F/M Age Inclusion Intervention Control Duration Outcomes and Year (years) criteria & frequency of interventi on months about exercise  50-foot walking  No medical opportunities time condition in the  Pain (self-report) precluding community  Duration of increased  Positive morning stiffness physical feedback  Arthritis Impact activity provided after Measurement Scale  Not 12 week  Tennessee Self currently assessment Concept Scales exercising  Daily activity diary F = Female; M = Male; IG = Intervention Group; CG = Control Group; RA = Rheumatoid Arthritis; ACR =American College of Rheumatology; VAS = Visual Analogue Scale; ROM = Range of Motion; CVD = Cardiovascular disease