Digitally delivered education and exercises for patients with hand osteoarthritis-An observational study.

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a common form of OA, for which education and exercise are considered the first-line treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine pain and perceived hand function in participants following 3 months of digitally delivered first-line treatment for hand OA. Three-hundred-and-seventy-nine of 846 participants with clinical signs and symptoms of hand OA completed the study. The digital hand OA treatment program consists of video instructed daily exercises and patient education through text lessons. Pain (NRS, 0 no pain, 10 worst) was the primary outcome, and stiffness (NRS) and the Functional Index for Hand OsteoArthritis (FIHOA, 0 best, 30 worst) were among secondary outcomes. The McNemar test and linear mixed effect regression model were used to assess the changes in outcomes from baseline to 3-month. After three months, the digitally delivered program was associated with a significant decrease in pain intensity (mean change -1.30 (95% CI -1.49, -1.12)) and hand stiffness (mean change -0.81 (95% CI -1.02, -0.60)) but no conclusive changes in the FIHOA scores (mean change 0.3 (95% CI -0.2, 0.7)). The results agree with reports on face-to-face delivered first-line treatment for hand OA suggesting that digital treatment is a viable treatment option in patients with hand OA.

Interpretation threshold values for patient-reported outcomes in patients participating in a digitally delivered first-line treatment program for hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: Establish proportions of patients reporting important improvement, acceptable symptoms and treatment failure and define interpretation threshold values for pain, patient-reported function and quality-of-life after participating in digital first-line treatment including education and exercise for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Observational study. Responses to the pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10 best to worst), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score 12 (KOOS-12) and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score 12 (HOOS-12, both 0-100 worst to best) were obtained for 4383 (2987) and 2041 (1264) participants with knee (hip) OA at 3 and 12 months post intervention. Threshold values for Minimal Important Change (MIC), Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) and Treatment Failure (TF) were estimated using anchor-based predictive modeling. Results: 70-85% reported an important improvement in pain, function and quality of life after 3 and 12 months follow-up. 42% (3 months) and 51% (12 months) considered their current state as satisfactory, whereas 2-4% considered treatment failed. MIC values were -1 (NRS) and 0-4 (KOOS/HOOS-12) across follow-ups and joint affected. PASS threshold value for NRS was 3, and 53-73 for the KOOS/HOOS-12 subscales Corresponding values for TF were 5 (NRS) and 34-55 (KOOS/HOOS-12). Patients with more severe pain at baseline had higher MIC scores and accepted poorer outcomes at follow-ups. Conclusion: Threshold estimates aid in the interpretation of outcomes after first-line OA interventions assessed with NRS Pain and KOOS/HOOS-12. Baseline pain severity is important to consider when interpreting threshold values after first-line interventions in these patients.

Within-person change in patient-reported outcomes and their association with the wish to undergo joint surgery during a digital first-line intervention for osteoarthritis.

AIM: To study the association between within-person changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) and wish for joint surgery during participation in a digital first-line intervention comprising exercise and education for knee/hip osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Retrospective observational registry study. Participants enrolled between June 1, 2018 and October 30, 2021, with follow-up data at three months (n = 13,961). We used asymmetric fixed effect (conditional) logistic regressions to study the association between change in wish to undergo surgery at last available time point (3, 6, 9, or 12 months) and improvement or worsening of PROMs pain (0-10), quality of life (QoL) (EQ5D-5L, 0.243-0.976), overall health (0-10), activity impairment (0-10), walking difficulties (yes/no), fear of movement (yes/no), and Knee/Hip injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score 12 Items (KOOS-12/HOOS-12, 0-100) function and QoL subscales. RESULTS: The proportion of participants wishing to undergo surgery declined by 2% (95% CI: 1.9, 3.0), from 15.7% at the baseline to 13.3% at 3 months. Generally, improvements in PROMs were associated with reduced likelihood of wishing for surgery, while worsening was associated with increased likelihood. For pain, activity impairment EQ-5D and KOOS/HOOS QoL, a worsening led to a change in the probability of wish for surgery of larger absolute magnitude than an improvement in the same PROM. CONCLUSIONS: Within-person improvements in PROMs are associated with reduced wish for surgery while worsenings with an increased wish for surgery. Larger improvements in PROMs may be needed to match the magnitude of the change in wish for surgery associated with a worsening in the same PROM.

Digital self-management of hip and knee osteoarthritis and trajectories of work and activity impairments.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trajectories of work and activity impairments among people participating in a digital self-management program for osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: We conducted an observational longitudinal study using data for baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow ups from people participating in a digital OA treatment between June 2018 and September 2021. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Osteoarthritis (WPAI-OA) questionnaire was used to measure work and activity impairments. We applied linear mixed models and group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) to assess the trajectories of work and activity impairments and their variability. Dominance analysis was performed to explore the relative importance of baseline characteristics in predicting the trajectory subgroup membership. RESULTS: A total of 14,676 participants with mean (± standard deviation) age 64.0 (± 9.1) years and 75.5% females were included. The adjusted mean improvements in work impairment from baseline were 5.8% (95% CI 5.3, 6.4) to 6.1% (95% CI 5.5, 6.8). The corresponding figures for activity impairment were 9.4% (95% CI 9.0, 9.7) to 11.3% (95% CI 10.8, 11.8). GBTM identified five (low baseline-declining, moderate baseline-declining, high baseline-declining, very high baseline-substantially declining, and very high baseline-persistent) and three (low baseline-declining, mild baseline-declining, high baseline-declining) subgroups with distinct trajectories of activity and work impairments. Dominance analysis showed that baseline pain was the most important predictor of membership in trajectory subgroups. CONCLUSION: While participation in a digital self-management program for OA was, on average, associated with improvements in work and activity impairments, there were substantial variations among the participants. Baseline pain may provide useful insights to predict trajectories of work and activity impairments.

Changes in pain and disability in patients with shoulder pain after three months of digitally delivered exercise and patient education.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and examine potential predictors of changes in pain and disability in patients with shoulder pain who have completed 3 months of digitally delivered treatment comprising exercise and patient education. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (clinicaltrials.org Nr: NCT05402514). SUBJECTS: Patients with shoulder pain who completed treatment (n = 682). METHODS: Primary outcome was change in shoulder pain (numerical rating scale 0-10; minimal clinical important change: at least 2 points). Pain and disability were reported on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Changes in outcomes were analysed with paired sample t-tests. Association with potential predictors (sex, age, education, body mass index, physical activity, symptom duration, baseline pain/function, and treatment adherence) were explored with linear regression models Results: Statistically significant improvements were found for all treatment outcomes. Minimal clinically important change in pain was reached by 54.5% (n = 372). Higher baseline level of symptoms, short symptom duration, and high treatment adherence were associated with greater changes. CONCLUSION: Patients with shoulder pain reported significant reductions in pain and disability following treatment, but the clinical relevance of the improvements has not been confirmed. Satisfactory treatment adherence, higher baseline pain and shorter symptom duration predicted larger improvements. A control group is needed to evaluate the actual effect of the treatment.

Digitally Delivered Exercise and Education Treatment Program for Low Back Pain: Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Exercise and education is recommended as first-line treatment by evidence-based, international guidelines for low back pain (LBP). Despite consensus regarding the treatment, there is a gap between guidelines and what is offered to patients. Digital LBP treatments are an emerging way of delivering first-line treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate outcomes after participation in a 3-month digitally delivered treatment program for individuals with subacute or chronic LBP. METHODS: We analyzed data from 2593 consecutively recruited participants in a digitally delivered treatment program, available via the national health care system in Sweden. The program consists of video-instructed and progressive adaptable exercises, education through text lessons, and a chat and video function connecting participants with a personal physiotherapist. The primary outcome was mean change and proportion reaching a minimal clinically important change (MCIC) for LBP (2 points or 30% decrease) assessed with the numerical rating scale (average pain during the past week, discrete boxes, 0-10, best to worst). Secondary outcomes were mean change and proportion reaching MCIC (10 points or 30%) in disability, assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; 0-100, best to worst) and a question on patient acceptable symptom state (PASS). RESULTS: The mean participant age was 63 years, 73.85% (1915/2593) were female, 54.72% (1419/2593) had higher education, 50.56% (1311/2593) were retired, and the mean BMI was 26.5 kg/m2. Participants completed on average 84% of the prescribed exercises and lessons, with an adherence of ≥80% in 69.26% (1796/2593) and ≥90% in 50.13% (1300/2593) of the participants. Mean reduction in pain from baseline to 3 months was 1.7 (95% CI -1.8 to -1.6), corresponding to a 35% relative change. MCIC was reached by 58.50% (1517/2593) of participants. ODI decreased 4 points (95% CI -4.5 to -3.7), and 36.48% (946/2593) reached an MCIC. A change from no to yes in PASS was seen in 30.35% (787/2593) of participants. Multivariable analysis showed positive associations between reaching an MCIC in pain and high baseline pain (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95% CI 1.6-2.1), adherence (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.8), and motivation (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5), while we found negative associations for wish for surgery (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.9) and pain in other joints (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7-0.9). We found no associations between sociodemographic characteristics and pain reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Participants in this digitally delivered treatment for LBP had reduced pain at 3-month follow-up, and 58.50% (1517/2593) reported an MCIC in pain. Our findings suggest that digital treatment programs can reduce pain at clinically important levels for people with high adherence to treatment but that those with such severe LBP problems that they wish to undergo surgery may benefit from additional support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05226156; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05226156.

[Swedish osteoarthritis treatment at the forefront]. / Svensk artrosbehandling är i framkant men underutnyttjad.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent group of disorders and among the most common causes of chronic pain and disability globally. First-line evidence-based treatments for hip and knee OA, two of the most common variants, are available in Sweden with the potential for wide national reach through face-to-face and digital platforms. Research results suggest important reductions in symptoms in patients with knee or hip OA. Despite evidence, availability and low cost, first-line evidence-based treatments are not utilized to the full extent to reduce the burden of OA.

Factors Associated With the Outcome of a First-Line Intervention for Patients With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis or Both: Data From the BOA Register.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the association of patients' demographics, health status, symptom severity, previous osteoarthritis (OA) care, and psychological status with the change in pain severity following a first-line intervention including education and exercise for OA provided nationwide in Swedish primary care. METHODS: This register-based cohort study included 23,309 people with knee or hip OA from the Better Management of Patients with OA register. Linear regression models were used to assess the association of independent variables with the change in pain from baseline to 3 and 12 months. All the analyses were stratified based on the affected joint (hip vs knee). RESULTS: In people with hip and people with knee OA, high levels of baseline pain were associated with decreased pain at both follow-ups (3 months: knee B = -.67; hip B = -.64; 12 months: knee B = -.70; hip B = -.66), whereas being older, overweight, or female had a weak or no association. Finally, at both follow-ups, bilateral OA was associated with increased pain only in people with knee OA, whereas comorbidities and the willingness to undergo surgery were associated with increased pain regardless of the affected joint. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline pain showed the strongest association among the analyzed variables, whereas sex, age, and body mass index appear to be weakly associated with the pain change after a first-line intervention. Comorbidities and willingness to undergo surgery showed a potentially important association and may have a negative impact on the pain change following a first-line intervention. IMPACT: In people with hip or knee OA, age, sex, body mass index, and previous surgery are only weakly associated with the change in pain after a first-line intervention supporting the evidence recommending exercise and education as a foundation for all OA therapy. Having comorbidities and being willing to undergo surgery is associated with a worse outcome from a first-line intervention, including exercise and education. Individualized treatments addressing the disease perception and the specific comorbidity profile may improve the outcomes.

Improving osteoarthritis care by digital means - Effects of a digital self-management program after 24- or 48-weeks of treatment.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is highly prevalent in older adults and a growing cause of disability. Easily accessible first-line treatment of OA is increasingly important. Digital self-management programs have in recent years become available. Evidence of short-term effects of such programs are abundant, yet reports on long-term benefits and adherence to treatment are scarce. The current study's objective was to investigate the long-term pain and function outcomes of people with hip or knee OA participating in a digital self-management programme. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this longitudinal cohort study, individuals with hip and knee OA, from the register of a digital self-management program and with 0-24-week (n = 499) or 0-48-week adherence (n = 138), were included. The treatment effect in terms of monthly pain (NRS, 0-10 worst to best) and physical function (30-second chair stand test (30CST), number of repetitions) change were investigated using a mixed model, controlling for the effect of age, body mass index (BMI), gender and index joint. For the 24-week sub-sample, pain NRS decreased monthly by -0.43 units (95% CI -0.51, -0.35, mean knee pain from 5.6 to 3.1, and hip pain from 5.9 to 3.8) and 30CST repetitions increased monthly by 0.76 repetitions (95% CI 0.64, 0.89 mean for knee from 10.0 to 14.3, and for hip from 10.9 to 14.8). For the 48-week sub-sample, pain decreased monthly by -0.39 units (95% CI -0.43, -0.36, mean knee pain from 5.7 to 3.2, and hip pain from 5.8 to 3.8), and repetitions increased by 0.72 repetitions (95% CI 0.65, 0.79, mean repetitions for knee from 10.3 to 14.4, and for hip from 11.1 to 14.9). There were no clinically relevant effects on the improvement of pain or function by any covariate (age, sex, index joint). The lack of a control group and randomization limit our ability to explain the mechanisms of the observed results. CONCLUSIONS: Continuously participating in a digital OA treatment program for 6 or 12 months was associated with a clinically important decrease in joint pain and increased physical function, in hip and knee OA. Future research should follow OA-related outcomes in participants that end their treatment to explore when and why that decision was made.

Long-Term Effects of Balance Training on Habitual Physical Activity in Older Adults with Parkinson's Disease.

The HiBalance program is a progressive and highly challenging balance training intervention incorporating Parkinson's disease (PD) specific balance components. The program improves balance and gait and increases the amount of ambulation in short-term, in older adults with PD. Yet, potential short- and long-term effects on habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior are currently unidentified. The aim of this study was to conduct preplanned secondary analyses of short- and long-term effects of the HiBalance program on objectively measured amount and bouts of brisk walking, sedentary behavior, and total physical activity in older adults with PD. Further, our aim was to investigate demographic, intervention-related, disease-related, and function-related factors potentially related to a difference in activity after intervention. A total of 100 older adults with mild-moderate PD were recruited. The intervention group participated in the HiBalance program, and the control received care as usual and was offered the HiBalance program after study termination. Physical activity data were collected using accelerometers at baseline, after intervention and after 6 and 12 months. A multilevel model was utilized to investigate the postintervention and long-term (6 and 12 months) effects on total physical activity, amount and bouts of brisk walking (i.e., moderate intensity physical activity), and sedentary behavior. Between-group difference for the main outcome brisk walking was at postintervention: Δ -10, CI -23.78 to 3.69 min/day (p < 0.05); 6 months: Δ -10, CI -23.89 to 3.89 min/day (p < 0.05); and 12 months: Δ -4, CI -16.81 to 8.81 min/day (p=0.43). Being part of the intervention group as well as finishing training during spring/summer showed an independent association to increased brisk walking after the intervention period. In conclusion, the HiBalance program increases the physical activity on moderate intensity after intervention and at 6 months but not at 12 months, independently of improved balance. Season seems to influence the effect on the physical activity.

A longitudinal observational study of back pain incidence, risk factors and occupational physical activity in Swedish marine trainees.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the occurrence of low back pain (LBP) and LBP that limits work ability, to identify their potential early risks and to quantify occupational physical activity in Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) marines during their basic 4 month marine training course. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study with weekly follow-ups. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three SwAF marines entering the training course. OUTCOMES: Incident of LBP and its related effect on work-ability and associated early risks. Occupational physical activity, as monitored using accelerometers and self-reports. RESULTS: During the training course, 68% of the marines experienced at least one episode of LBP. This yielded a LBP and LBP limiting work ability incidence rate of 13.5 (95% CI 10.4 to 17.8) and 6.3 (95% CI 4.2 to 10.0) episodes per 1000 person-days, respectively. Previous back pain and shorter body height (≤1.80 m) emerged as independent risks for LBP (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.3; HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3, respectively), as well as for LBP that limited work ability (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 8.9; HR 4.5, 95% CI 2.0 to 10.0, respectively). Furthermore, managing fewer than four pull-ups emerged as a risk for LBP (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0), while physical training of fewer than three sessions per week emerged as a risk for LBP that limited work ability (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 7.4). More than 80% of the work time measured was spent performing low levels of ambulation, however, combat equipment (≥17.5 kg) was carried for more than half of the work time. CONCLUSIONS: Incidents of LBP are common in SwAF marines' early careers. The link between LBP and previous pain as well as low levels of exercise highlights the need for preventive actions early on in a marine's career. The role of body height on LBP needs further investigation, including its relationship with body-worn equipment, before it can effectively contribute to LBP prevention.

'I would never have done it if it hadn't been digital': a qualitative study on patients' experiences of a digital management programme for hip and knee osteoarthritis in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the experiences of a digital management programme for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), including education and exercises as well as an option to chat with an assigned physical therapist for feedback, questions and support. SETTING: This study was conducted at a regional hospital in the southern part of Sweden. METHODS: Nineteen patients (10 women), median age of 66 (q1-q3, 57-71) years, with confirmed hip or knee OA were interviewed after completing their first 6 weeks in the programme, using a semistructured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and were qualitatively analysed using systematic text condensation. RESULTS: Three categories emerged during the interviews:(1) Management options for mitigating the consequences of OA; (2) Experiences of the digital programme and (3) Perceived effects of the digital programme over time. The participants had mostly positive experiences of the programme. Particularly important for these experiences were no waiting list, the flexibility of taking part in the programme with regards to location and time and the possibility to have daily contact with a physical therapist. These aspects were also emphasised as advantages compared with traditional care. CONCLUSIONS: Digital management of OA, including education and exercise, was experienced as a valid alternative to traditional treatment in enabling the implementation of OA guidelines in a wider community. Easy access, exercising at one's own convenience, flexible options, daily follow-up and support by a physical therapist were mentioned as the most important features. In addition, the results will contribute to further development and improvement of digital OA management programmes.

Factors Associated With Patients' Willingness to Consider Joint Surgery After Completion of a Digital Osteoarthritis Treatment Program: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine patient willingness and a possible shift in willingness for surgery and to investigate factors associated with this shift, following participation in the digital nonsurgical osteoarthritis (OA) treatment program Joint Academy. METHODS: A total of 458 individuals (mean ± SD age 62 ± 5.6 years, 67% women) with diagnosed hip or knee OA were evaluated after 6 weeks in the Joint Academy program, comprising education and exercise as well as asynchronous chat with a physical therapist. Data describing joint pain, health-related quality of life (the EuroQol 5-domain [EQ-5D] questionnaire in 3 levels), walking difficulties, the 30-second chair stand test, and willingness to consider surgery were collected at baseline and at 6 weeks. RESULTS: At follow-up, 31% of those participants willing to consider surgery at baseline no longer considered surgery. Of those participants who were unwilling to consider surgery at baseline, 6% reconsidered and decided in favor of surgery at follow-up. Less pain and a higher EQ-5D score at 6 weeks were associated with the change from being willing to unwilling to consider surgery at follow-up (odds ratio [OR] 0.67-1.64; P < 0.05). Worse pain, a lower EQ-5D score, and having walking difficulties at 6 weeks, and a lower pain and EQ-5D score improvement were associated with the change from being unwilling to willing to consider surgery at 6 weeks (OR 0.51-4.30; P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Evidence-based nonsurgical OA treatment, at least delivered in a digital format, may reduce the need for surgery and should therefore be offered as the first-line treatment option to patients with hip and knee OA. The results also support the idea that such treatment programs have the potential to improve selection of patients for total joint replacement.

Evaluation of a digital platform for osteoarthritis treatment: study protocol for a randomised clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite favourable results from structured face-to-face treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in Sweden through the Better management of patients with OsteoArthritis (BOA) initiative, only around 20% of people with knee or hip OA receive the primary treatment recommended by international guidelines (ie, information, exercise, weight management). In 2014, a digital treatment programme named Joint Academy was introduced in Sweden, based on the same concept as the face-to-face BOA programme. In line with BOA, Joint Academy follows national and international guidelines and best practice for OA treatment. Results from observational studies suggest that this digital treatment is a valuable alternative to the traditional treatment approach and can positively impact patients' function and pain. However, conclusions from such studies commonly suggest that more rigorous testing is necessary to ascertain the benefits of digital treatment delivery for people with OA. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A randomised clinical trial will be performed, comparing regular face-to-face care according to BOA with the digital version, Joint Academy. A total of 270 participants with clinically diagnosed knee OA will be recruited at primary care centres and randomised to either standard treatment (BOA) for 3 months, or the experimental group (digital intervention programme). Both groups will receive educational sessions and exercises yet with a difference in programme deliverance. The objective of the trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the online treatment programme, in comparison with BOA. The two treatment groups will be compared with respect to the number of repetitions of the 30 s chair stand test at 3, 6 and 12 months, using a mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been attained from the Regional Board of Ethics in Lund, Sweden (Dnr 2017/719). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03328741.

A 6-Week Web-Based Osteoarthritis Treatment Program: Observational Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of disability, with a burden of disease estimated to increase over time. Joint Academy, a Web-based treatment for individuals with clinically verified knee or hip OA, was developed to increase access to and facilitate implementation of evidence-based nonsurgical OA treatment in accordance with international guidelines. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate joint pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over time of users of the Joint Academy program. METHODS: We enrolled 350 patients who were recruited online and completed the initial health journal in the 6-week program. We asked patients to complete an eHealth journal and e-questionnaires, including pain level assessed by a numerical rating scale, as well as a physical function evaluation using the 30-second chair-stand test. In addition, we assessed HRQoL using the 3-level version of the EQ-5D. We also asked participants whether they experienced difficulty walking and were afraid of physical activity due to their OA and their desire for surgery. We collected descriptive data and compared pre- versus postintervention data. As a reference group, we included results retrieved from the Swedish well-structured face-to-face self-supportive OA management program Better Management of Patients With Osteoarthritis (BOA). RESULTS: Of the study cohort (n=350 patients; 239 women, mean age 62 years, mean body mass index 27 kg/m2), 71.4% (n=250) completed the program and were included in the study. We used the questionnaires to secure a clinical diagnosis of OA and to establish baseline study values. After 6 weeks of treatment, the change in mean numerical rating scale was larger than the minimal clinical difference (5.4 vs 4.1; P<.001), while physical function increased (from 10.88 to 13.14; P<.001). The percentage of participants having walking difficulties decreased from 81.7% (196/240) to 62.1% (149/240; P<.001), those afraid of being physically active decreased from 22.1% (53/240) to 6.7% (16/240; P<.001), and 22.0% (55/250) reported that they had reduced the amount of OA-related medication. After 6 weeks, 24% (13/54) of those desiring surgery at the start of the program were no longer interested. In addition, the comparison between Joint Academy and the BOA program showed similar levels of pain at 3 months, but suggested greater reduction with the use of Joint Academy due to a higher level of pain at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The reported data suggest that participation in Joint Academy is associated with a clinically relevant decrease in pain and an increase in physical function and HRQoL, as well as a decreasing fear of physical activity. This innovative Web-based OA treatment is scalable, is population specific, and can reach a large number of individuals with impaired joints who have Internet access.

Monitoring training activity during gait-related balance exercise in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a proof-of-concept-study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits of balance exercise in clinical populations, balance training programs tend to be poorly described, which in turn makes it difficult to evaluate important training components and compare between programs. However, the use of wearable sensors may have the potential to monitor certain elements of balance training. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using wearable sensors to provide objective indicators of the levels and progression of training activity during gait-related balance exercise in individuals with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Ten individuals with Parkinson's disease participated in 10 weeks of group training (three sessions/week) addressing highly-challenging balance exercises. The training program was designed to be progressive by gradually increasing the amount of gait-related balance exercise exercises (e.g. walking) and time spent dual-tasking throughout the intervention period. Accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+) were used to measure volume (number of steps/session) and intensity (time spent walking >1.0 m/s) of dynamic training activity. Training activity was also expressed in relation to the participants' total daily volume of physical activity prior to the training period (i.e. number of steps during training/the number of steps per day). Feasibility encompassed the adequacy of data sampling, the output of accelerometer data and the participants' perception of the level of difficulty of training. RESULTS: Training activity data were successfully obtained in 98% of the training sessions (n = 256) and data sampling did not interfere with training. Reflecting the progressive features of this intervention, training activity increased throughout the program, and corresponded to a high level of the participants' daily activity (28-43%). In line with the accelerometer data, a majority of the participants (n = 8) perceived the training as challenging. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this proof-of-concept study support the feasibility of applying wearable sensors in clinical settings to gain objective informative measures of gait-related balance exercise in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Still, this activity monitoring approach needs to be further validated in other populations and programs including gait-related balance exercises. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01417598 , 15th August 2011.

Does a dynamic chair increase office workers' movements? - Results from a combined laboratory and field study.

PURPOSE: Dynamic chairs have the potential to facilitate movements that could counteract health problems associated with sedentary office work. This study aimed to evaluate whether a dynamic chair can increase movements during desk-based office work. METHODS: Fifteen healthy subjects performed desk-based office work using a dynamic office chair and compared to three other conditions in a movement laboratory. In a field study, the dynamic office chair was studied during three working days using accelerometry. RESULTS: Equivocal results showed that the dynamic chair increased upper body and chair movements as compared to the conventional chair, but lesser movements were found compared to standing. No differences were found between the conditions in the field study. CONCLUSIONS: A dynamic chair may facilitate movements in static desk-based office tasks, but the results were not consistent for all outcome measures. Validation of measuring protocols for assessing movements during desk-based office work is warranted.

Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and its Association with Balance, Physical Function and Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: The desirable effects of physical activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease are well-known, although according to results from previous studies factors associated with objectively assessed physical activity are not fully investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate demographic, disease-related and mobility-related factors that associate with objectively measured physical activity, in a sample of older adults with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Demographic, disease-related and mobility-related factors were gathered by interview from a total of 91 older adults with Parkinson's disease, followed by an evaluation of balance control using the Mini-BESTest. After initial testing, participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer during a week of free-living. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression was used to investigate factors associated with total PA, represented by total activity counts, and time in brisk walking. RESULTS: Motor impairment, physical function, body mass index and dyskinesia contributed to the variance of total physical activity, explaining 34 % of the variance, while physical function and balance control were significant factors associated with brisk walking, explaining 22 %. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified factors that have not been shown to associate with objectively measured physical activity previously, such as dyskinesia, balance control and self-rated physical function. The findings also demonstrated that associated factors differ, depending on the activity behavior being investigated. However, other factors than those included in this study may also be of importance.

Accelerometer Cut Points for Physical Activity Assessment of Older Adults with Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To define accelerometer cut points for different walking speeds in older adults with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. METHOD: A volunteer sample of 30 older adults (mean age 73; SD 5.4 years) with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease walked at self-defined brisk, normal, and slow speeds for three minutes in a circular indoor hallway, each wearing an accelerometer around the waist. Walking speed was calculated and used as a reference measure. Through ROC analysis, accelerometer cut points for different levels of walking speed in counts per 15 seconds were generated, and a leave-one-out cross-validation was performed followed by a quadratic weighted Cohen's Kappa, to test the level of agreement between true and cut point-predicted walking speeds. RESULTS: Optimal cut points for walking speeds ≤ 1.0 m/s were ≤ 328 and ≤ 470 counts/15 sec; for speeds > 1.3 m/s, they were ≥ 730 and ≥ 851 counts/15 sec for the vertical axis and vector magnitude, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 61%-100% for the developed cut points. The quadratic weighted Kappa showed substantial agreement: κ = 0.79 (95% CI 0.70-0.89) and κ = 0.69 (95% CI 0.56-0.82) for the vertical axis and the vector magnitude, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides accelerometer cut points based on walking speed for physical-activity measurement in older adults with Parkinson's disease for evaluation of interventions and for investigating links between physical activity and health.

Levels and Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Elderly People With Mild to Moderate Parkinson Disease.

BACKGROUND: Decreased movement ability, one of the hallmarks of Parkinson disease (PD), may lead to inadequate physical activity (PA) and excessive time spent in sedentary behaviors-2 factors associated with an elevated risk for lifestyle-related diseases, poor management of PD, and premature death. To identify the extent to which people with PD are physically active, a comprehensive characterization of PA in this population is needed. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to describe levels and patterns of PA and sedentary behaviors in elderly people with PD. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study involved a free-living setting and 53 men and 42 women (mean age=73.4 years) with mild to moderate idiopathic PD. METHODS: Time spent in PA and sedentary behaviors was assessed for 1 week with accelerometers. RESULTS: Mean daily step counts were 4,765; participants spent 589 minutes in sedentary behaviors, 141 minutes in low-intensity activities, 30 minutes in moderate-intensity lifestyle activities, and 16 minutes in moderate- to vigorous-intensity ambulatory activities. No differences were found between weekdays and weekend days. Patterns were characterized by a rise in total PA in the morning, peaking between 10 am and 3 pm, and a gradual decline toward the late evening. The proportion achieving 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA per week was 27%, and 16% achieved 7,000 or more steps per day. LIMITATIONS: Nonrandomized selection of participants may limit the generalizability of the results. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity levels were generally low, in terms of both total volume and intensity, with only minor variations over the course of a day or between days. These results emphasize the need to develop strategies to increase PA and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors in elderly people with mild to moderate PD.