Move More, Sit Less: A New Model of Care for Knee Osteoarthritis

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Affecting 1 in 10 Canadians, knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common and sometimes debilitating. Physical activity can be an effective treatment, improving pain, mobility and quality of life.

Based on the experience of the TRACK OA pilot study, MONITOR OA tested a modified version of a physical activity program to help people with knee pain to be more physically active safely.

 

The program involved:

1) a group education session,
2) the use of Fitbit Flex (wireless physical activity tracker),
3) remote counselling by a physiotherapist

We recruited 60 people with knee OA in British Columbia. Eligible participants was randomly assigned to start the program either immediately (the Now Group) or  2 months later (the Later Group).

Participants were also asked to complete online questionnaires, and wore an armband accelerometer for 7 days to assess their activity levels at the beginning, at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of the study. To gain an in-depth understanding participants’ experiences in the study, we invited them to take part in a phone interview.

 

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At the end of the project, all participants received a comprehensive report of their activity assessment. They were welcome to keep the Fitbit Flex at the end of the study.

 

 

 

Scientific papers published about this study include:

2014-03-17_1630_PaperCan we improve cognitive function among adults with osteoarthritis by increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour? Secondary analysis of the MONITOR-OA study Falck R, Best J, Li LC, Chan PCY, Feehan LM, Liu-Ambrose T. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2018;19:447.

 

2014-03-17_1630_PaperAccuracy of Fitbit Devices: Systematic review and narrative syntheses of quantitative data Feehan LM, Geldman J, Sayre EC, Park C, Ezzat AM, Yoo JY, Hamilton CB, Li LC. JMIR Health Health. 2018;6(8):e10527.

 

Principal Investigators:
Dr. Linda Li

Co-investigators:
Charles Goldsmith, Simon Fraser University
Lynne Feehan, University of British Columbia
Gregory Noonan, Vancouver General Hospital (Mary Pack Arthritis Program
Alison Hoens, University of British Columbia

Collaborators:
Simon Fraser University
Arthritis Research Canada
Vancouver General Hospital

 

 

 

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