Education, weight management and exercise for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), a pilot study

Background The objective of this study was to compare our usual care education and exercise programme for overweight patients with knee osteoarthritis (ESCAPE pain) with an innovative education, exercise, and weight management programme (ARMED). We presented both programmes in-person and virtually. We were particularly interested in the effect of both programmes on the outcomes of weight loss, pain, stiffness, function, and quality of life in overweight patients with knee OA. Methods Overweight patients with knee OA were recruited from an interface primary and secondary care waiting list and allocated to either the ESCAPE pain (education and exercise) or ARMED (education, exercise, and weight management) interventions in either in-person or virtual formats. Results Sixty-five patients completed the programmes. Forty- three virtually (20 ARMED and 23 ESCAPE pain) and 22 in-person (12 ESCAPE pain and 10 ARMED). A mixed methods analysis of variance found significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life in all groups with no significant difference between virtual or in-person programmes. There was significant weight loss in the ARMED group Wilks Lambda = .883, F (2. 49) = 3.24, p < .05, with no significant change in weight for the ESCAPE pain group. Discussion/Conclusion The findings for weight loss with the ARMED programme both virtually and in-person, and the significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life in both interventions supports the need for further evaluation of exercise, education, and weight management in the knee osteoarthritis population.