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The following is a summary of “Broad range of self-management strategies that people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions apply: an online survey using a citizen science approach,” published in the May 2025 issue of Rheumatology International by Braake et al. 

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) caused various daily living restrictions, with limited knowledge about the self-management strategies used in everyday life.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to identify the self-management strategies that individuals with RMDs applied using a citizen science approach.  

They developed an online survey iteratively in collaboration with individuals with RMDs and distributed it to people with various types of RMDs. Responses were collected through Qualtrics, anonymized, and analyzed using Atlas.ti and 2 reviewers deductively coded general self-management strategies and motivations for adopting these strategies after consulting with patient partners.  

The results showed that 250 complete surveys were collected, with 91.2% of respondents being female. A total of 1,305 self-management strategies were reported, alongside 669 detailed explanations. Most participants engaged in physical activity strategies, such as walking and biking, in daily life. Motivations for adopting these strategies primarily stemmed from the bodily functioning dimension, including pain reduction. Additionally, 1,275 facilitators for initiating self-management were identified, mostly related to the support category. Barriers, numbering 480, were predominantly found in the condition-related category.  

Investigators concluded that self-management was an essential component in daily condition management, with individuals selecting strategies based on their challenges, feasibility, preferences, and personal context, providing valuable insights for personalized support by patients and healthcare professionals. 

Source: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00296-025-05842-2