Joint disease gets online relief

A free online programme for people suffering from a degenerative joint disease is looking for more participants from Taranaki. MOA (Managing OsteoArthritis) is about halfway through its two-and-a-half year trial programme which aims to help people with osteoarthritis manage their condition, work with a health coach and connect with others for advice and support. Osteoarthritis, a chronic joint condition, occurs when cartilage between bones break down and allow bones to rub together, causing pain, stiffness and inflammation. While there is no cure, Arthritis New Zealand clinical senior advisor Cathie Morton said the 16-week digital tool aimed to prove early intervention would help mitigate the severity of pain and better self-care in the future. She said many people who were diagnosed didn’t have a next step and carried on until mobility was significantly limited. ‘‘Rather than waiting for it to get worse, for a lot of people it doesn’t have to get worse.’’ MOA gives access to an online coach, an online community, a tracking function to track energy levels and symptoms, and educational resources to better understand how to manage the condition. The programme was developed by Wellington-based digital health company Melon Health in collaboration with Arthritis NZ and supported by the Ministry of Health. It is being trialled in five district health boards. Interested people can contact their GP or call Arthritis NZ on 0800 663 463.