Effectiveness of a telehealth physiotherapist-delivered intensive dietary weight loss program combined with exercise in people with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity: study protocol for the POWER randomized controlled trial

• Published in: BMC musculoskeletal disorders 2022-07, Vol.23 (1), p.1-733, Article 733
• Main Authors: Bennell, Kim L, Jones, Sarah E, Hinman, Rana S, McManus, Fiona, Lamb, Karen E, Quicke, Jonathan G, Sumithran, Priya, Prendergast, Jodie, George, Elena S, Holden, Melanie A, Foster, Nadine E, Allison, Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiarthritic agents; Arthritis; Body mass index; Body weight; Body weight loss; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Committees; Diagnosis; Dietitians; Dosage and administration; Exercise; Gastrointestinal surgery; Hypocaloric diet; Intervention; Knee; Methods; Musculoskeletal diseases; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrition research; Obesity; Osteoarthritis; Overweight; Pain; Patients; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Physical training; Practice; Quadriceps muscle; Qualitative research; Quality of life; Risk factors; Study Protocol; Telehealth; Telemedicine; Weight control; Weight loss
• ISSN: 1471-2474; 1471-2474
• DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05685-z

Background Obesity is associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Weight loss, alongside exercise, is a recommended treatment for individuals with knee OA and overweight/obesity. However, many patients cannot access weight loss specialists such as dietitians. Innovative care models expanding roles of other clinicians may increase access to weight loss support for people with knee OA. Physiotherapists may be well placed to deliver such support. This two-group parallel, superiority randomized controlled trial aims to compare a physiotherapist-delivered diet and exercise program to an exercise program alone, over 6 months. The primary hypothesis is that the physiotherapist-delivered diet plus exercise program will lead to greater weight loss than the exercise program. Methods 88 participants with painful knee OA and body mass index (BMI) > 27 kg/m.sup.2 will be recruited from the community. Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomised to either exercise alone or diet plus exercise groups. Participants in the exercise group will have 6 consultations (20-30 min) via videoconference with a physiotherapist over 6 months for a strengthening exercise program, physical activity plan and educational/exercise resources. Participants in the diet plus exercise group will have 6 consultations (50-75 min) via videoconference with a physiotherapist prescribing a ketogenic very low-calorie diet with meal replacements and educational resources to support weight loss and healthy eating, plus the intervention of the exercise only group. Outcomes are measured at baseline and 6 months. The primary outcome is percentage change in body weight measured by a blinded assessor. Secondary outcomes include self-reported knee pain, physical function, global change in knee problems, quality of life, physical activity levels, and internalised weight stigma, as well as BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, physical performance measures and quadriceps strength, measured by a blinded assessor. Additional measures include adherence, adverse events, fidelity and process measures. Discussion This trial will determine whether a physiotherapist-delivered diet plus exercise program is more effective for weight loss than an exercise only program. Findings will inform the development and implementation of innovative health service models addressing weight management and exercise for patients with knee OA and overweight/obesity. Trial registration NIH US National Library of Med