Telehealth-Supported Exercise or Physical Activity Programs for Knee Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Xiang Xiao-Na , Wang Ze-Zhang , Hu Jing , Zhang Jiang-Yin , Li Ke , Chen Qi-Xu , Xu Fa-Shu , Zhang Yue-Wen , He Hong-Chen , He Cheng-Qi , Zhu Si-Yi 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

The integration of telehealth-supported programs in chronic disease management has become increasingly common. However, its effectiveness for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs for individuals with KOA.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search encompassing Embase, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, GreyNet, and medRxiv from inception to September 2023 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs to a control condition for KOA. Data were extracted and qualitatively synthesized across eligible studies, and a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects. The study was reported according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020.

RESULTS

In total, 23 studies met eligibility criteria, with 20 included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs reduced pain (<i>g</i>=–0.39; 95% CI –0.67 to –0.11; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), improved physical activity (<i>g</i>=0.13; 95% CI 0.03-0.23; <i>P</i>=.01), and enhanced physical function (<i>g</i>=–0.51; 95% CI –0.98 to –0.05; <i>P</i>=.03). Moreover, significant improvements in quality of life (<i>g</i>=0.25; 95% CI 0.14-0.36; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), self-efficacy for pain (<i>g</i>=0.72; 95% CI 0.53-0.91; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), and global improvement (odds ratio 2.69, 95% CI 1.41-5.15; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) were observed. However, self-efficacy for physical function (<i>g</i>=0.14; 95% CI –0.26 to 0.53; <i>P</i>=.50) showed insignificant improvements. Subgroup analyses based on the World Health Organization classification of digital health (pain: <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=6.5; <i>P</i>=.04 and physical function: <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=6.4; <i>P</i>=.04), the type of teletechnology in the intervention group (pain: <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup><sub>4</sub>=4.8; <i>P</i>=.31 and function: <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup><sub>4</sub>=13.0; <i>P</i>=.01), and active or inactive controls (pain: <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup><sub>1</sub>=5.3; <i>P</i>=.02 and physical function: <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup><sub>1</sub>=3.4; <i>P</i>=.07) showed significant subgroup differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs might reduce knee pain and improve physical activity, physical function, quality of life, self-efficacy, and global improvement in individuals with KOA. Future research should consider longer implementation durations and assess the feasibility of incorporating wearables and standardized components into large-scale interventions to evaluate the effects.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42022359658; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=359658