The PEAK Study: Physiotherapy, Exercise and physical Activity for Knee osteoarthritis

Brief Summary

We are conducting a clinical trial to compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different modes of delivering physiotherapy care to people with knee OA. Participants will undergo five consultations with a physiotherapist over 3 months (30-45 minutes) for prescription of a home-based strengthening exercise program and physical activity plan (to be conducted independently at home), as well as OA education, after which participants will be reassessed remotely via paper or web-bas .... We are conducting a clinical trial to compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different modes of delivering physiotherapy care to people with knee OA. Participants will undergo five consultations with a physiotherapist over 3 months (30-45 minutes) for prescription of a home-based strengthening exercise program and physical activity plan (to be conducted independently at home), as well as OA education, after which participants will be reassessed remotely via paper or web-based questionnaires at 3 months and 9 months after randomisation. Read more

Key Inclusion Criteria

i) meet National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical criteria for knee OA: i. age 45 years or older; ii. activity-related knee joint pain; iii. morning knee stiffness lasting no more than 30 mins, ii) report history of knee pain of at least 3mths duration; iii) report knee pain on most days of the past month; iv) report an average pain score of at least 4 on an 11-point numeric rating scale during walking over the previous week; v) report difficulty walking and climbing stairs; vi) .... i) meet National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical criteria for knee OA: i. age 45 years or older; ii. activity-related knee joint pain; iii. morning knee stiffness lasting no more than 30 mins, ii) report history of knee pain of at least 3mths duration; iii) report knee pain on most days of the past month; iv) report an average pain score of at least 4 on an 11-point numeric rating scale during walking over the previous week; v) report difficulty walking and climbing stairs; vi) access to a device with internet connection; vii) willing and able to travel to the nearest trial physiotherapist if required, for treatment, and; viii) pass Exercise and Sports Science Australia stage 1 pre-exercise screening questions (consists of seven questions which are answered YES or NO, and are designed to identify individuals with signs or symptoms of underlying disease, or who may be at higher risk of an adverse event during exercise). Read more

Key Exclusion Criteria

i) inability to speak English; ii) on waiting list for/planning knee/hip surgery in next 12 months; iii) previous arthroplasty on affected knee; iv) recent knee surgery (past 6 months); v) consulting/ed physiotherapy or doing strengthening exercise for knee (past 6 months); vi) self-reported inflammatory arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis); vii) any neurological condition affecting lower limbs; and/or viii) any unstable/uncontrolled cardiovascular condition. Clearance to participate from a gen .... i) inability to speak English; ii) on waiting list for/planning knee/hip surgery in next 12 months; iii) previous arthroplasty on affected knee; iv) recent knee surgery (past 6 months); v) consulting/ed physiotherapy or doing strengthening exercise for knee (past 6 months); vi) self-reported inflammatory arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis); vii) any neurological condition affecting lower limbs; and/or viii) any unstable/uncontrolled cardiovascular condition. Clearance to participate from a general practitioner will be required for anyone who i) reported a fall (past 12 months) or is house-bound due to immobility; or ii) who fails the Exercise and Sports Science Australia stage 1 pre-exercise screening questions. Read more

Can healthy volunteers participate?

No