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  • What We've Learned
Supporting physical activity in people with knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis-4-1
Scientific Study Title:
Start Date:
  • 2017
End Date:
  • 2019
Research Category
Tags

Why did we do this research?

There is overwhelming evidence that being physically active improves people’s health and quality of life. Despite this, over 50% of people with arthritis are not physically active enough, even when their symptoms are under control.

In this study, we will test if a new program can improve physical activity and decrease the sitting time in people with knee osteoarthritis.

What did we do?

SuPRA is a program that uses new digital activity trackers (Fitbit Flex) paired with a web based application (app) and physical activity counselling to help people with knee pain be more physically active safely and at their own pace. The program previously used in MONITOR-OA has been changed to create a new application called FitViz. It is a web application that is paired with Fitbit Flex to display information on the level of physical activity.

The SuPRA program involved:

  • A one-time group education session in the Greater Vancouver Area on knee osteoarthritis, physical activity, and sedentary lifestyle.
  • The use of Fitbit Flex paired with the FitViz app.
  • Online/telephone physical activity counselling by a registered physiotherapist.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • Linda Li, BSc(PT), MSc, PhD, FCAHS, Senior Scientist, Implementation Science, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-Investigators

  • Dr. Lynne Feehan, BScPT, MSc, PhD, Lead, Clinical Research, Rehabilitation, Fraser Health; Clinical Associate Professor, (University of British Columbia)
  • Paul Adam, MSW, Rheumatology Liaison and Outreach Services Coordinator, Mary Pack Arthritis Centre
  • J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Catherine Backman, PhD, FCAOT, Senior Scientist, Rehabilitation, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Dr. Charles Goldsmith, MSc, PhD, Professor, Biostatistics, (Simon Fraser University)
  • Dr. Diane Gromala, PhD, Professor, (Simon Fraser University)
  • Alison Hoens , BScPT, MSc, Knowledge Broker, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Greg Noonan, PT, Physiotherapy Practice Coordinator, Mary Pack Arthritis Centre
  • Dr. Chris Shaw, PhD, Associate Professor, (Simon Fraser University)
  • Dr. Richard Smith, PhD, Associate Professor, (Simon Fraser University)
  • Anne Townsend, MA, PhD, Affiliate Scientist, Bioethics, Arthritis Research Canada (Lancaster University)

Research Staff

  • Halima Elmi, Research Coordinator, Arthritis Research Canada
  • Juliane Chien, Research Assistant, Arthritis Research Canada
  • Johnathan Tam , Research Assistant, Arthritis Research Canada
  • Jenny Leese , MA, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Arthritis Research Canada Trainee
  • Jasmina Geldman, Research Coordinator, Arthritis Research Canada
  • Graham Macdonald, Research Assistant, Arthritis Research Canada

Collaborators

  • Cheryl Koehn, President, Arthritis Consumer Experts

Who Funded This Research?

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

How Can People Get Involved?

Contact: Johnathan Tam, Research Coordinator

Phone: 604.207.4027

Email: jtam@arthritisresearch.ca

The Research Team

Media and Infographics

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