Objectives To test the hypotheses that therapeutic taping of the knee improves pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and that benefits remain after stopping treatment.

During the first year following critical illness, individuals with PICS experienced physical impairments in all 3 domains of the ICF.

This assessor-, therapist-, and participant-blinded randomised controlled trial evaluated the effects of an automated internet-based pain coping skills training (PCST) program before home exercise for people with clinically diagnosed hip osteoarthritis. One hundred forty-four people were randomised to either the PCST group or the comparator group. In the first 8 weeks, the PCST group received online education and PCST, whereas the comparison group received online education only. From weeks 8 to 24, both groups visited a physiotherapist 5 times for home exercise prescription. Assessments were performed at baseline, 8, 24, and 52 weeks. Primary outcomes were hip pain on walking (11-point numerical rating scale) and physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) at 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes were other measures of pain, quality-of-life, global change, self-efficacy, pain coping, pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, stress, physical activity, and adverse events. Primary outcomes were completed by 137 (95%), 131 (91%), and 127 (88%) participants at 8, 24, and 52 weeks, respectively. There were no significant between-group differences in primary outcomes at week 24 (change in: walking pain [mean difference 0.5 units; 95% confidence interval, -0.3 to 1.3] and function [-0.9 units; 95% confidence interval, -4.8 to 2.9]), with both groups showing clinically relevant improvements. At week 8, the PCST group had greater improvements in function, pain coping, and global improvement than comparison. Greater pain coping improvements persisted at 24 and 52 weeks. In summary, online PCST immediately improved pain coping and function but did not confer additional benefits to a subsequent exercise program, despite sustained pain coping improvements.

People with knee OA held mostly positive perceptions about receiving exercise therapy from a physiotherapist via telephone, suggesting that such a service is broadly acceptable to consumers. Such services were generally not viewed as a substitute for face-to-face physiotherapy care, but rather as a new option that could increase accessibility of physiotherapy services, particularly for follow-up consultations.

No abstract

Conclusions: Clinicians and students encounter barriers to delivery of high-value OA care in clinical practice/training (micro-level); within service environments (meso-level); and within the health system (macro-level).

Although physiotherapists were initially sceptical about the effectiveness of telephone-delivered service models for knee osteoarthritis, perceptions shifted once they experienced delivering care via this non-traditional method. Findings suggest that first-hand experience may be necessary for physiotherapists to embrace new models of service delivery. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a web-based exercise programming system improves adherence to a home exercise program for people with musculoskeletal conditions. Design Eligible patients with a musculoskeletal condition presenting to a physical therapist in private practice were randomized to the following: (a) control (home exercise prescribed by therapist’s usual methods) or (b) intervention (home exercise prescribed using a web-based exercise programming system). The primary outcome was self-rated exercise adherence measured at week 3 via 11-point Numeric Rating Scales. Secondary outcomes were satisfaction with exercise delivery and confidence in ability to undertake prescribed exercise. Process measures were also included. Results We enrolled 305 participants, with loss to follow-up of 14.5% (22/152) and 13.7% (21/153) in intervention and control groups, respectively. Compared with controls, the intervention group reported higher exercise adherence (mean difference Numeric Rating Scale units (95% confidence intervals): adherence overall −1.0 [−1.6 to −0.3] and regarding number of exercises in session −0.7 [−1.3 to −0.1], number of repetitions −0.8 [−1.4 to −0.2], and number of sessions −1.0 [−1.6 to −0.3]). The intervention group showed greater confidence to exercise than control, with no difference in satisfaction. Conclusions A web-based exercise programming system improved home exercise adherence and confidence in ability to undertake exercise, although the clinical relevance of the results needs to be established.