Adherence to a Web-based Exercise Programme: A Feasibility Study Among Patients with Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2023-08, Vol.55, p.jrm7139-jrm7139
• Main Authors: Joseph, Kenth-Louis, Dagfinrud, Hanne, Hagen, Kåre Birger, Nordén, Kristine Røren, Fongen, Camilla, Wold, Ole-Martin, Hinman, Rana S, Nelligan, Rachel K, Bennell, Kim L, Tveter, Anne Therese
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adherence; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; barriers; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Internet; Male; Management; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Hip - diagnosis; Osteoarthritis, Knee - therapy; Pain; Short Communication; web-based
• ISSN: 1651-2081; 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v55.7139

To describe adherence to a 12-week web-based aerobic exercise programme, to compare characteristics between those who adhere or not, and to identify barriers for exercising in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Single-arm feasibility study. Patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis in specialist healthcare, age 40-80 years, and not candidates for joint surgery. Adherence to a 12-week exercise programme was defined as having completed ≥ 2 exercise sessions a week for at least 8 weeks. Baseline differences between adherent and non-adherent groups in demographics, symptoms, disability, physical activity and fitness were assessed using Mann-Whitney U or χ2 tests. Reasons for not completing exercise sessions were reported in weekly diaries.  Results: A total of 29 patients (median age 64 years, 72% female) were included. Median baseline pain (numerical rating scale 0-10) was 5. Fifteen patients adhered to the exercise programme, 14 did not. Non-adherent patients were less active (p = 0.032) and had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.031). The most frequently reported barrier to exercising was sickness. Less than 10% reported pain as a barrier. Half of the patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis adhered to the digitally delivered exercise programme and the most frequently reported barrier for adherence was sickness, while less than 10% reported pain as a reason for not exercising. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04084834. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics South-East, 2018/2198.