Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

Objective EnhanceFitness (EF) is an evidence‐based exercise program recommended for management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, access to EF is limited in rural areas. Accordingly, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of remotely delivered EF (tele‐EF) in rural, community‐dwelling older ad...

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Main Authors: Kushang V. Patel, Elise V. Hoffman, Elizabeth A. Phelan, Nancy M. Gell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-08-01
Series:ACR Open Rheumatology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11452
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author Kushang V. Patel
Elise V. Hoffman
Elizabeth A. Phelan
Nancy M. Gell
author_facet Kushang V. Patel
Elise V. Hoffman
Elizabeth A. Phelan
Nancy M. Gell
author_sort Kushang V. Patel
collection DOAJ
description Objective EnhanceFitness (EF) is an evidence‐based exercise program recommended for management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, access to EF is limited in rural areas. Accordingly, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of remotely delivered EF (tele‐EF) in rural, community‐dwelling older adults with symptomatic knee OA. Methods A single‐arm pilot trial of tele‐EF classes was conducted. Videoconferencing was used to livestream the instructor‐led, 1‐hour EF classes 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately post intervention. Results A total of 15 of 27 potential participants (55%) were screen eligible and enrolled into the trial. Participants had a median age of 70 years (interquartile range: 67‐75), and 14 (93%) were women. The median EF class attendance rate was 91% (interquartile range: 85%‐94%). Knee pain, as measured by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), improved significantly from baseline to the 12‐week end point (mean difference = −11.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): −20.9 to −2.0]; P = 0.02). In addition, participants’ self‐reported knee function improved significantly (mean difference in KOOS function score = −11.8 [95% CI: −18.4 to −5.2]; P < 0.01) as well as their physical capacity (mean difference in Timed Up and Go test time = 1.8 seconds [95% CI: 0.2‐3.4]; P = 0.03). All participants (100%) were very satisfied with tele‐EF classes, and 12 participants (86%) reported that their condition had much improved or very much improved since beginning the EF exercise program. Lastly, there were no serious adverse events. Conclusion Findings from this pilot trial indicate that tele‐EF is feasible and acceptable in rural older adults with knee OA.
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spelling doaj.art-85180feca4c846c7bad3cf6333e5356d2022-12-22T03:59:01ZengWileyACR Open Rheumatology2578-57452022-08-014873574410.1002/acr2.11452Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot StudyKushang V. Patel0Elise V. Hoffman1Elizabeth A. Phelan2Nancy M. Gell3Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine University of Washington, Seattle Washington USADepartment of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine University of Washington, Seattle Washington USADivision of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine University of Washington, Seattle Washington USADepartment of Rehabilitation and Movement Science University of Vermont Burlington Vermont USAObjective EnhanceFitness (EF) is an evidence‐based exercise program recommended for management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, access to EF is limited in rural areas. Accordingly, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of remotely delivered EF (tele‐EF) in rural, community‐dwelling older adults with symptomatic knee OA. Methods A single‐arm pilot trial of tele‐EF classes was conducted. Videoconferencing was used to livestream the instructor‐led, 1‐hour EF classes 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately post intervention. Results A total of 15 of 27 potential participants (55%) were screen eligible and enrolled into the trial. Participants had a median age of 70 years (interquartile range: 67‐75), and 14 (93%) were women. The median EF class attendance rate was 91% (interquartile range: 85%‐94%). Knee pain, as measured by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), improved significantly from baseline to the 12‐week end point (mean difference = −11.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): −20.9 to −2.0]; P = 0.02). In addition, participants’ self‐reported knee function improved significantly (mean difference in KOOS function score = −11.8 [95% CI: −18.4 to −5.2]; P < 0.01) as well as their physical capacity (mean difference in Timed Up and Go test time = 1.8 seconds [95% CI: 0.2‐3.4]; P = 0.03). All participants (100%) were very satisfied with tele‐EF classes, and 12 participants (86%) reported that their condition had much improved or very much improved since beginning the EF exercise program. Lastly, there were no serious adverse events. Conclusion Findings from this pilot trial indicate that tele‐EF is feasible and acceptable in rural older adults with knee OA.https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11452
spellingShingle Kushang V. Patel
Elise V. Hoffman
Elizabeth A. Phelan
Nancy M. Gell
Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
ACR Open Rheumatology
title Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
title_full Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
title_fullStr Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
title_short Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
title_sort remotely delivered exercise to rural older adults with knee osteoarthritis a pilot study
url https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11452
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