Usage, Attitudes, Facilitators, and Barriers Toward Digital Health Technologies in Musculoskeletal Care: Survey Among Primary Care Physiotherapists in Norway.

Background: Work burden increases for physiotherapists in the primary health care sector as the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) increases. Digital health technologies (DHTs) are proposed as a viable solution to secure the sustainability of the health care system and have shown promising results in a range of conditions. However, little is known about use of DHTs among physiotherapists in the primary health care sector in Norway.

EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: 2023 update.

Introduction: Hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) are increasingly common with a significant impact on individuals and society. Non-pharmacological treatments are considered essential to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life. EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee OA were published in 2013.

Longer-term quality of care, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of implementing a model of care for osteoarthritis: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the quality of care, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness over 12 months after implementing a structured model of care for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in primary healthcare as compared to usual care.

Design: In this pragmatic cluster-randomized, controlled trial with a stepped-wedge cohort design, we recruited 40 general practitioners (GPs), 37 physiotherapists (PTs), and 393 patients with symptomatic hip or knee OA from six municipalities (clusters) in Norway. The model included the delivery of a 3-hour patient education and 8-12 weeks individually tailored exercise programs, and interactive workshops for GPs and PTs.

Effect of a mHealth exercise intervention compared with supervised exercise therapy in osteoarthritis management: protocol of the DigiOA trial.

Introduction: Soaring prevalence of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) inflicts high costs on the healthcare system. A further rise in the OA incidence is expected, generating increased demand of care potentially challenging accessibility and threatening to overwhelm the healthcare system. Innovative solutions that may improve accessibility to recommended OA care for patients in primary care and maintain healthcare sustainability are warranted.

Low adherence to exercise may have influenced the proportion of OMERACT-OARSI responders in an integrated osteoarthritis care model: secondary analyses from a cluster-randomised stepped-wedge trial.

Background: To address the well-documented gap between hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatment recommendations and current clinical practice, a structured model for integrated OA care was developed and evaluated in a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial. The current study used secondary outcomes to evaluate clinically important response to treatment through the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials clinical responder criteria (OMERACT-OARSI responder criteria) after 3 and 6 months between patients receiving the structured OA care model vs. usual care.

Correction: Implementing a structured model for osteoarthritis care in primary healthcare: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.

Implementing a structured model for osteoarthritis care in primary healthcare: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial.

Background: To improve quality of care for patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), a structured model for integrated OA care was developed based on international recommendations. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this model in primary care.

Methods And Findings: We conducted a cluster-randomised controlled trial with stepped-wedge cohort design in 6 Norwegian municipalities (clusters) between January 2015 and October 2017.

Implementing international osteoarthritis treatment guidelines in primary health care: study protocol for the SAMBA stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Previous research indicates that people with osteoarthritis (OA) are not receiving the recommended and optimal treatment. Based on international treatment recommendations for hip and knee OA and previous research, the SAMBA model for integrated OA care in Norwegian primary health care has been developed. The model includes physiotherapist (PT) led patient OA education sessions and an exercise programme lasting 8-12 weeks.

Health-related physical fitness measures: reference values and reference equations for use in clinical practice.

Objective: To provide reference values and reference equations for frequently used clinical field tests of health-related physical fitness for use in clinical practice.

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Setting: General community.

Measuring health-related physical fitness in physiotherapy practice: reliability, validity, and feasibility of clinical field tests and a patient-reported measure.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study with a test-retest design.

Objectives: To assess measurement properties of the physical fitness questionnaire, the 6-minute walk test, the stair test, the hand-grip test, the 30-second sit-to-stand test, and the fingertip-to-floor test in patients with various musculoskeletal conditions (MSCs).

Background: Patients suffering from MSCs tend to be more deconditioned and less physically active than healthy people.