Understanding Negative and Positive Feelings About Telerehabilitation in People With Chronic Knee Pain: A Mixed-Methods Study.

To explore (1) initial feelings of people with knee osteoarthritis who are unexpectedly offered telerehabilitation, and (2) if their experiences met their expectations, and their willingness to use telerehabilitation in the future. Mixed-methods study of 122 people with knee osteoarthritis who were randomized to receive physiotherapist-delivered telerehabilitation in a clinical trial. At enrollment in the trial, participants were unaware care would be delivered via telerehabilitation.

Exploring Experiences of People With Knee Osteoarthritis Who Received a Physiotherapist-Delivered Dietary Weight Loss and Exercise Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study.

Objective: Explore the experiences of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who received a very low energy diet (VLED) and exercise program from a physiotherapist.

Methods: Mixed methods study involving questionnaires (n = 42) and semistructured interviews (n = 22) with randomized control trial participants with knee OA who had received a 6-month physiotherapist-delivered VLED weight loss and exercise intervention. Questionnaires measured participant satisfaction and perceptions about physiotherapist's skills/knowledge in delivery of the dietary intervention (measured on 5-7 point Likert scales).

Associations between static foot posture, dynamic in-shoe plantar foot forces and knee pain in people with medial knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional exploratory study.

Objective: To investigate relationships between static foot posture, dynamic plantar foot forces and knee pain in people with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: Data from 164 participants with symptomatic, moderate to severe radiographic medial knee OA were analysed. Knee pain was self-reported using a numerical rating scale (NRS; scores 0-10; higher scores worse) and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain subscale (KOOS; scores 0-100; lower scores worse).

Telerehabilitation consultations with a physiotherapist for chronic knee pain versus in-person consultations in Australia: the PEAK non-inferiority randomised controlled trial.

Background: Telerehabilitation is perceived as less effective than in-person care for musculoskeletal problems. We aimed to determine if physiotherapy video conferencing consultations were non-inferior to in-person consultations for chronic knee pain.

Methods: In this non-inferiority randomised controlled trial, we recruited primary care physiotherapists from 27 Australian clinics.

Lessons learnt from a nationally funded training and mentoring programme for early-mid career musculoskeletal researchers in Australia.

Introduction: Quality training and mentoring are crucial components of successful career development for early mid career researchers (EMCRs). This paper describes the overarching framework of novel ongoing national Training and Mentoring Programme Melbourne University Sydney Queensland:Impact (MUSQ:Impact) for musculoskeletal researchers, including a description of how it was set up and established, and lessons learned from its implementation.

Results: The MUSQ:Impact programme spans four multidisciplinary musculoskeletal research teams across three universities in Australia, comprising 40-60 EMCR members.

Technical issues occur but are infrequent and have little impact on physiotherapist-delivered videoconferencing consultations for knee osteoarthritis: A descriptive study.

Introduction: Clinicians often report technical issues as a barrier to adopting videoconferencing service models. This descriptive study nested within a randomised controlled trial investigated the frequency, nature and impact of technical issues during video consultations.

Methods: Physiotherapists (n = 15) underwent training to deliver knee osteoarthritis care focussed on education, strengthening and physical activity.

Shoes for self-managing chronic hip Pain: the SCHIPP randomized clinical trial protocol.

Background: Chronic hip pain is common and disabling and is largely due to osteoarthritis (OA). Self-management is recommended by international OA clinical guidelines yet there are few effective treatment options. Footwear has been suggested as a self-management approach, given that foot motion influences hip forces.

Effect of motion control versus neutral walking footwear on pain associated with lateral tibiofemoral joint osteoarthritis: a comparative effectiveness randomised clinical trial.

Objectives: To determine if motion control walking shoes are superior to neutral walking shoes in reducing knee pain on walking in people with lateral knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: Participant-blinded and assessor-blinded, comparative effectiveness, superiority randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Melbourne, Australia.

Exercise adherence Mobile app for Knee Osteoarthritis: protocol for the MappKO randomised controlled trial.

Background: In people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), ongoing exercise participation, particularly with strengthening exercises, is central to management. Patient adherence to prescribed exercise typically declines once consultations with a clinician have ceased. Mobile applications (apps) can incorporate behaviour change techniques that may assist adherence, potentially optimising clinical outcomes.

A comparison of psychological characteristics in people with knee osteoarthritis from Japan and Australia: A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in psychological characteristics between people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) from Japan and Australia. Sixty-two adults from Japan and 168 adults from Australia aged over 50 years with knee pain were included. Japanese data were collected from patients with knee OA diagnosed by medical doctors.

Expert-Moderated Peer-to-Peer Online Support Group for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Study.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major problem globally. First-line management comprises education and self-management strategies. Online support groups may be a low-cost method of facilitating self-management.

An e-Learning Program for Physiotherapists to Manage Knee Osteoarthritis Via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Real-World Evaluation Study Using Registration and Survey Data.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated clinicians to transition to telehealth, often with little preparation or training. The Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis (PEAK) e-learning modules were developed to upskill physiotherapists in management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) via telehealth and in-person. In the research setting, the e-learning modules are perceived by physiotherapists as effective when they are part of a comprehensive training program for a clinical trial.

Evaluation of a Novel e-Learning Program for Physiotherapists to Manage Knee Osteoarthritis via Telehealth: Qualitative Study Nested in the PEAK (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis) Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The delivery of physiotherapy via telehealth could provide more equitable access to services for patients. Videoconference-based telehealth has been shown to be an effective and acceptable mode of service delivery for exercise-based interventions for chronic knee pain; however, specific training in telehealth is required for physiotherapists to effectively and consistently deliver care using telehealth. The development and evaluation of training programs to upskill health care professionals in the management of osteoarthritis (OA) has also been identified as an important priority to improve OA care delivery.

Association Between Therapeutic Alliance and Outcomes Following Telephone-Delivered Exercise by a Physical Therapist for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Secondary Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The therapeutic alliance between patients and physical therapists has been shown to influence clinical outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain when consulting in-person. However, no studies have examined whether the therapeutic alliance developed between patients with knee osteoarthritis and physical therapists during telephonic consultations influences clinical outcomes.

Objective: This study aims to investigate whether the therapeutic alliance between patients with knee osteoarthritis and physical therapists measured after the second consultation is associated with outcomes following telephone-delivered exercise and advice.

The Effect of Flat Flexible Versus Stable Supportive Shoes on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms : A Randomized Trial.

Background: Experts recommend that persons with knee osteoarthritis wear stable supportive shoes; however, evidence suggests that flat flexible shoes may be more beneficial.

Objective: To compare flat flexible with stable supportive shoes for knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

Design: Participant- and assessor-blinded randomized trial.

Technology versus tradition: a non-inferiority trial comparing video to face-to-face consultations with a physiotherapist for people with knee osteoarthritis. Protocol for the PEAK randomised controlled trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a global problem that causes significant pain and physical dysfunction, substantially impacting on quality of life and imposing enormous cost to the healthcare system. Exercise is pivotal to OA management, yet uptake by people with knee OA is inadequate. Limited access to appropriately skilled health professionals, such as physiotherapists, for prescription of an exercise program and support with exercise is a major barrier to optimal care.

The association between psychological characteristics and physical activity levels in people with knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological characteristics and physical activity levels, measured as the average number of steps per day, in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: This study analysed baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference: ACTRN12612000308897). A total of 167 adults aged over 50 years, with knee pain rated as four or more on an 11-point numeric rating scale, and knee OA diagnosed using American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria, were recruited from the community (62 men and 105 women, mean age, 62.

Footwear for osteoarthritis of the lateral knee: protocol for the FOLK randomised controlled trial.

Background: Structural features of lateral tibiofemoral (TF) joint osteoarthritis (OA) occur in up to half of all people with knee OA, and co-existing lateral TF OA is associated with worse knee pain in people with mixed compartmental knee OA. Clinical guidelines for management of knee OA advocate advice about appropriate footwear, yet there is no research evaluating which types of footwear are best for managing pain associated with lateral TF OA. Biomechanical evidence suggests that "motion-control" footwear, which possess midsoles that are stiffer medially compared to laterally, may shift load away from the lateral compartment of the knee and thus may reduce knee pain associated with lateral TF OA.

Does telephone-delivered exercise advice and support by physiotherapists improve pain and/or function in people with knee osteoarthritis? Telecare randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Evaluate a physiotherapist-led telephone-delivered exercise advice and support intervention for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: Participant-blinded, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial. 175 people were randomly allocated to (1) existing telephone service (≥1 nurse consultation for self-management advice) or (2) exercise advice and support (5-10 consultations with a physiotherapist trained in behaviour change for a personalised strengthening and physical activity programme) plus the existing service.

Podiatry Intervention Versus Usual General Practitioner Care for Symptomatic Radiographic Osteoarthritis of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: A Randomized Clinical Feasibility Study.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of a clinical trial comparing a podiatry intervention to usual general practitioner (GP) care for people with first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A 2-arm, participant- and assessor-blinded, randomized feasibility study was conducted over 12 weeks. Participants were age >40 years and had pain and radiographic OA in the first MTP joint.

Implementation of person-centred practice principles and behaviour change techniques after a 2-day training workshop: A nested case study involving physiotherapists.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to determine how well physiotherapists implemented person-centred practice principles and behaviour change techniques after a workshop, and to evaluate whether self-audit of performance differed from audits of an experienced training facilitator.

Methods: Eight physiotherapists each completed a 2-day workshop followed by two telephone consultations with four patients with knee osteoarthritis. The training facilitator audited audio-recordings of all consultations, and therapists self-audited 50% of consultations using a tool comprising: (a) 10 person-centred practice principles rated on a numerical rating scale of 0 (need to work on this) to 10 (doing really well); and (b) seven behaviour change techniques rated with an ordinal scale (using this technique effectively; need to improve skill level; or need to learn how to apply this technique).

Therapeutic Alliance Between Physical Therapists and Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis Consulting Via Telephone: A Longitudinal Study.

Objective: To explore therapeutic alliance between physical therapists and patients with knee osteoarthritis during telephone consultations. Specifically, to describe and compare physical therapist and patient ratings, to determine whether alliance changes over time, and to evaluate whether individual characteristics are associated with alliance.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of 84 patients in the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial who completed 5-10 consultations with 1 of 8 physical therapists via telephone over 26 weeks, involving education, advice, and prescription of a strengthening and physical activity program.

Footwear for self-managing knee osteoarthritis symptoms: protocol for the Footstep randomised controlled trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability globally, and abnormal knee loading is central to disease pathogenesis. Clinical guidelines recommend clinicians provide advice regarding appropriate footwear for people with knee OA, yet there is little research comparing the effects of different footwear on knee OA symptoms. Research suggests that wearing flat flexible shoes is associated with lower knee joint loads compared to stable supportive shoe styles.

Telephone-Delivered Exercise Advice and Behavior Change Support by Physical Therapists for People with Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for the Telecare Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Exercise and physical activity are a core component of knee osteoarthritis (OA) care, yet access to physical therapists is limited for many people. Telephone service delivery models may increase access.

Objective: Determine the effectiveness of incorporating exercise advice and behavior change support by physical therapists into an existing Australian nurse-led musculoskeletal telephone service for adults with knee OA.

Unloading Shoes for Self-management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Appropriate footwear is recommended for self-management of knee osteoarthritis. Shoes that reduce harmful knee loads are available, but symptomatic effects are uncertain.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of unloading shoes in alleviating knee osteoarthritis symptoms.