Effectiveness of telehealth‐based exercise interventions on pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A meta‐analysis

• Published in: Journal of clinical nursing 2023-06, Vol.32 (11-12), p.2505-2520
• Main Authors: Yang, Yajie, Li, Sitian, Cai, Ying, Zhang, Qi, Ge, Pu, Shang, Shaomei, Han, Hongbin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arthritis; COVID-19; exercise; Exercise Therapy; Humans; Intervention; Knee; knee osteoarthritis; Meta-analysis; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee - therapy; Pain; Quality of Life; telehealth; Telemedicine
• ISSN: 0962-1067; 1365-2702
• DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16388

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth‐based exercise intervention on pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Design A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PEDro and Web of Science Core Collection) were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials published from database inception to 3 June 2021. Reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and used the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool for quality assessment. A meta‐analysis and subgroup analyses, stratified by control condition, intervention duration and delivery type, were conducted by Revman 5.4. The study was reported in compliance with PRISMA statement. Results A total of 9 independent RCTs with 861 participants were included. The meta‐analysis showed that the telehealth‐based exercise interventions significantly reduced pain in KOA patients (SMD = −0.28, 95% CI [−0.49, −0.08], p 3 months) intervention and the use of web and smartphone APPs to deliver exercise interventions were associated with better pain relief and physical function. Conclusions Telehealth‐based exercise intervention is an effective strategy for KOA management during the COVID‐19 epidemic, and it is significantly better than usual care in reducing knee pain and improving physical function and was able to achieve the effects of traditional face‐to‐face exercise treatment. Although the duration and type of delivery associated with the effect of the intervention have been identified, patient preference and acceptability need to be considered in practice.