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MONITOR-OA: Improving physical activity for those with knee osteoarthritis.
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Scientific Study Title:
MONITOR-OA: Improving physical activity for those with knee osteoarthritis.
Research Category
Tags
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Linda Li
Senior Scientist, Implementation Science, BSc(PT), MSc, PhD, FCAHS
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Alison Hoens
Knowledge Broker, MSc, BScPT
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Jenny Leese
MA, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow

Why did we do this research?

Reason For Research

Physical activity is an essential first-line treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, a recent study found only 13% met the activity recommendation of 150 minutes or more per week. MONITOR-OA is a program that uses activity trackers to help people with knee pain set goals to be more physically active safely and at their own pace.

The program will involve:
1. A group education session
2. The use of Fitbit Flex – a wireless physical activity tracking device
3. Online/telephone coaching by a registered physiotherapist

The primary goal of this study is to test the efficacy of this new program to improve physical activity and reduce sedentary time in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

When will final results be reported?

We anticipate the recruitment for the study to begin in November 2015. We expect the study to end in April 2017.

What did we do?

Execution of Research

We will conduct this study with 60 people with knee osteoarthritis in British Columbia. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the Immediate Intervention Group or the Delayed Intervention Group.

The Immediate Intervention Group will attend a group education session, receive a Fitbit Flex activity tracker (allowed to keep at the end of the study), and also receive telephone/online counselling by a registered physiotherapist. During the study period, participants will complete online questionnaires and also wear a research-based accelerometer for 7 days at baseline, Months 2, 4, and 6.

Participants in the Delayed Intervention Group will wait 2 months to start the same intervention.

Additional Information:

Related Publications

Li LC, Sayre EC, Xie H, Falck RS, Best JB, Liu-Ambrose T, Grewal N, Hoens AM, Noonan G, Feehan LM. Efficacy of a Community-Based Technology-Enabled Physical Activity Counseling Program for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Proof-of-Concept Study. JMIR Publications. doi: 10.2196/jmir.8514. To access publication, click here.

Falck RS, Best JR, Li LC, Chan PCY, Feehan LM, Liu-Ambrose T. Can we improve cognitive function among adults with osteoarthritis by increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour? Secondary analysis of the MONITOR-OA study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. doi: 10.1186/s12891-018-2369-z. To access publication, click here.

Falck RS, Davis JC, Best JR, Chan PCY, Li LC, Wyrough AB, Bennet KJ, Backhouse D, Liu-Ambrose T. Effect of multimodal lifestyle intervention on sleep and cognitive function in older adults with probable mild cognitive impairment and poor sleep: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. (DOI: 10.3233/JAD-200383; E-pub ahead of print) 2020. To access publication, click here.

Feehan LM, Geldman J, Sayre EC, Park C, Ezzat A, Yoo JY, Hamilton C, Li LC. Accuracy of Fitbit devices: a systematic review and narrative syntheses of quantitative data. JMIR mHealth & uHealth. (DOI: 10.2196/10527) 6(8):e10527, 2018. To access publication, click here.

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