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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Feb;143(2):729-738.
doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-04149-8. Epub 2021 Aug 28.

Development of a mobile application to improve exercise accuracy and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Satit Thiengwittayaporn  1 , Pichayut Wattanapreechanon  2 , Phraew Sakon  3 , Apatha Peethong  4 , Nantaporn Ratisoontorn  4 , Narattaphol Charoenphandhu  5   6   7 , Supiya Charoensiriwath  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Development of a mobile application to improve exercise accuracy and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients: a randomized controlled trial

Satit Thiengwittayaporn et al. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that needs consistent exercise and an accurate understanding of the condition for long-term maintenance. While the accessibility of outpatient care is essential for disease management, many patients lack the resources to receive adequate healthcare. To address this challenge, we developed a not-for-profit interactive mobile application that provides a disease-specific educational background and a structured exercise regimen to patients.

Material and methods: "Rak Kao" (English translation: Love-Your-Knee) mobile application was designed to analyze the questionnaire data to assess the stage of knee OA and generate a personalized recommendation of treatment and exercise type using rule-based and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. A single-blinded study was conducted with patients (n = 82) who were randomly assigned to the mobile application group (M-group) and the handout group (H-group). Patient groups were controlled for age, gender, BMI, onset of pain, grade of disease, education level, and occupation. Accuracy in performance of three prescribed knee exercises (catch-bend-down, stretch-touch-feet, and sit-stretch-hold) was evaluated. Clinical outcomes were evaluated before and after the 4-weeks program to assess the range of motion, symptoms, pain, physical activity, and quality of life via the KOOS and KSS scores.

Results: Completion of the study led to significantly more overall exercise accuracy in the M-group (76.2%) than the H-group (52.5%). Activities of daily life, quality of life, ability to do sports and recreational activities were significantly more improved in the M-group than the H-group (p < .01). No difference in the range of motion between groups. Satisfaction of patients' experience was higher in the M-group than the H-group (p = .001) after the 4-week regimen.

Conclusions: With the better accuracy and outcomes for rehabilitation in the M-group than the H-group, we strongly recommend using our mobile application as a better alternative than handouts for exercises and information for patients with knee OA.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03666585.

Keywords: Knee exercises; Knee osteoarthritis; Mobile application; Rehabilitation; Smartphone application.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of mobile application design and criteria that serves OA patients
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
“Love your knee” app modules for education and assessment for the stage of disease
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Patient enrollment, eligibility, and randomization into H (handout)-group and M (mobile application)-group
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Instruction of three exercises for H (handout)-group and M (mobile application)-group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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