In the Dutch armed forces clothing sizes are determined using 3D body scans. To evaluate if the predicted size based on the scan analysis matches the best fit, 35 male soldiers fitted a combat jacket and combat pants. It was shown that the predicted jacket size was slightly too large. Therefore, an adjustment was proposed. The predicted and preferred pant size matched rather well. We further investigated discrepancies between predicted and preferred sizes using virtual fitting analysis. Colour maps showing the difference between garment and body circumference illustrated that some soldiers selected a garment size that was obviously too small or too large. In order to minimize the effect of personal preference and maximize standardize ease, we recommend to maintain the current size prediction (with minor corrections for jackets) and use virtual fitting selectively as a control measure.
ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of the “Plants for Joints” multidisciplinary lifestyle program in patients with metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis (MSOA).DesignPatients with hip or knee MSOA were randomized to the intervention or control group. The intervention group followed a 16-week program in addition to usual care based on a whole food plant-based diet, physical activity, and stress management. The control group received usual care. The patient-reported Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score (range 0–96) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included other patient-reported, anthropometric, and metabolic measures. An intention-to-treat analysis with a linear-mixed model adjusted for baseline values was used to analyze between-group differences.ResultsOf the 66 people randomized, 64 completed the study. Participants (84% female) had a mean (SD) age of 63 (6) years and body mass index of 33 (5) kg/m2. After 16 weeks, the intervention group (n = 32) had a mean 11-point larger improvement in WOMAC-score (95% CI 6–16; p = 0.0001) compared to the control group. The intervention group also lost more weight (–5 kg), fat mass (–4 kg), and waist circumference (–6 cm) compared to the control group. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue, pain interference, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and low-density lipoproteins improved in the intervention versus the control group, while other PROMIS measures, blood pressure, high-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides did not differ significantly between the groups.ConclusionThe “Plants for Joints” lifestyle program reduced stiffness, relieved pain, and improved physical function in people with hip or knee MSOA compared to usual care.
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Objectives In two randomised controlled trials, the Plants for Joints (PFJ) multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention reduced signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or metabolic syndrome-associated hip or knee osteoarthritis (MSOA) compared with usual care. The current study investigated long-term outcomes.Methods After completion of two 16-week trials in people with (1) RA or (2) MSOA, control groups switched to the active PFJ intervention. At the end of the intervention, all participants were followed up in a 1-year observational extension study. Primary outcomes were 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) (RA) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) (MSOA). Secondary outcomes included body composition, metabolic outcomes, medication changes and intervention adherence. An intention-to-treat analysis with a linear mixed model was used to analyse within-group changes.Results 65 (84%) of 77 RA participants and 49 (77%) of 64 MSOA participants completed the extension study. The effects of the PFJ intervention were replicated in the original control groups and sustained within the RA group a year after intervention completion (mean DAS28 –0.9 points; p<0.001), while in the MSOA group mean WOMAC increased towards but remained well under the starting value (–7.8 points, p<0.001). Improvements in C-reactive protein, waist circumference (RA and MSOA); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (RA); and weight, haemoglobin A1c, blood pressure (MSOA) were also sustained. Participants had a net decrease of medication, and intervention adherence was largely sustained.Conclusions A year after the PFJ lifestyle intervention, improvements of disease activity and metabolic outcomes within RA and MSOA groups were largely sustained and related to sustained adherence, with a net decrease of medication.Trial registration numbers NL7800, NL7801.
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