Dose guide for physical activity to improve arthritis symptoms
Official title: Examination of the Dose Response Relationship Between Physical Activity and Arthritis-Attributable Outcomes
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11503934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of South Carolina will look at how different amounts of weekly physical activity affect arthritis symptoms and quality of life in adults with arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,764 |
| NIH project number | 5U48DP006850-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11503934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with arthritis who have difficulty meeting current physical activity guidelines.
✕Less likely to help
Adults without arthritis or those who cannot safely participate in MVPA will likely receive little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether three different weekly amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) – 45, 90, or 150 minutes – can lead to better physical function, mood, pain, and quality of life at 6 and 12 months. Researchers will use objective activity measurements and track changes in fatigue, pain, depressive symptoms, confidence, and happiness after MVPA sessions. The findings could help doctors tailor simple, feasible activity goals for adults with arthritis who struggle to meet higher activity targets. Participants will engage in monitored activity and complete surveys to capture short- and longer-term effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could provide concrete, attainable activity goals that improve arthritis symptoms and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests activity can help arthritis symptoms, but the minimal effective dose is not well established; this study targets that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pellegrini, Christine Ann — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Pellegrini, Christine Ann
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.