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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Jul;54(13):790-797.
doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101183. Epub 2019 Nov 20.

Does telephone-delivered exercise advice and support by physiotherapists improve pain and/or function in people with knee osteoarthritis? Telecare randomised controlled trial

Rana S Hinman  1 , Penny K Campbell  2 , Belinda J Lawford  2 , Andrew M Briggs  3 , Janette Gale  4 , Caroline Bills  4 , Jessica Kasza  5 , Anthony Harris  6 , Simon D French  2   7 , Stephen J Bunker  8 , Andrew Forbes  5 , Kim L Bennell  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Does telephone-delivered exercise advice and support by physiotherapists improve pain and/or function in people with knee osteoarthritis? Telecare randomised controlled trial

Rana S Hinman et al. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate a physiotherapist-led telephone-delivered exercise advice and support intervention for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: Participant-blinded, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial. 175 people were randomly allocated to (1) existing telephone service (≥1 nurse consultation for self-management advice) or (2) exercise advice and support (5-10 consultations with a physiotherapist trained in behaviour change for a personalised strengthening and physical activity programme) plus the existing service. Primary outcomes were overall knee pain (Numerical Rating Scale, range 0-10) and physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, range 0-68) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes, cost-effectiveness and 12-month follow-up were included.

Results: 165 (94%) and 158 (90%) participants were retained at 6 and 12 months, respectively. At 6 months, exercise advice and support resulted in greater improvement in function (mean difference 4.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 8.4)), but not overall pain (0.7, 0.0 to 1.4). Eight of 14 secondary outcomes favoured exercise advice and support at 6 months, including pain on daily activities, walking pain, pain self-efficacy, global improvements across multiple domains (overall improvement, improved pain, improved function and improved physical activity) and satisfaction. By 12 months, most outcomes were similar between groups. Exercise advice and support cost $A514/participant and did not save other health service resources.

Conclusion: Telephone-delivered physiotherapist-led exercise advice and support modestly improved physical function but not the co-primary outcome of knee pain at 6 months. Functional benefits were not sustained at 12 months. The clinical significance of this effect is uncertain.

Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (#12616000054415).

Keywords: knee; osteoarthritis; physiotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: JG owns HealthChange Australia, which trained the physiotherapists in behavioural change methodology and employs CB as a training facilitator. AMB was a salaried employee of Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria (now known as Musculoskeletal Australia) at the time this trial was designed and grant funding awarded. SJB is employed as Medibank’s Clinical Research Advisor.

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