Small to moderate effect sizes were observed regardless of whether the intervention included exercise .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate studies that used arthritis self-management education alone or with exercise to improve Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale scores of patients with knee osteoarthritis .
BACKGROUND Increasing self-efficacy may improve patient knee osteoarthritis symptom management and function .
A physiotherapist-delivered, combined exercise and pain coping skills training intervention for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis ( OA ) of the knee is associated with a number of physical and psychological impairments . Unfortunately , very few treatment strategies are capable of addressing both types of impairments concurrently . We performed a pilot , r and omized controlled , proof of principle trial investigating the feasibility and effects of an intervention combining physical exercise and pain coping skills training ( PCST ) . METHODS Twenty patients with a clinical and radiographical diagnosis of tibiofemoral OA were r and omized to receive either 10 weeks of physiotherapist supervised exercises ( lower limb strengthening and walking ) combined with non-directive counseling ( NDC ) or the same exercise program delivered concurrently with PCST . Primary outcomes included self-reported pain and pain coping , while secondary outcomes included self efficacy and self-reported physical function . RESULTS Ten participants were r and omized to each group and both groups exhibited significant improvements in isometric knee strength , self-reported knee pain and physical function , self efficacy for control of pain management and other arthritis symptoms . Only those in the exercise + PCST group reported statistically significant improvements in pain control coping and rational thinking . No between-group differences existed in any outcome ( 0.07 < p < 0.98 ) . Based on our findings , 63 participants per group would be needed for future large-scale studies using similar outcome measures and design . CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that an intervention that combines exercise and PCST within the same treatment session and delivered by specially-trained physiotherapists is feasible and can improve both physical and psychological outcomes in individuals with knee OA . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II Clinical Trials Registry number : ACTRN12609000623291
Small to moderate effect sizes were observed regardless of whether the intervention included exercise .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate studies that used arthritis self-management education alone or with exercise to improve Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale scores of patients with knee osteoarthritis .
BACKGROUND Increasing self-efficacy may improve patient knee osteoarthritis symptom management and function .