Feasibility of a Wearable-enabled Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in People Knee OA

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common (affecting 1 in 10), painful, and debilitating. Being physically active improves pain, mobility and quality of life for people living with knee OA; however, less than half of patients are active. Combining the best evidence in OA care and digital technology, the investigators propose a new model of care for improving physical activity in patients with OA.

The investigators primary objective is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multi-component model of care involving 1) a group education and structured goal-setting session, 2) the use of Fitbit Flex (a commercially available physical activity tracker) and 3) weekly telephone activity counselling by a physiotherapist for improving physical activity and reducing sedentary time in patients with knee OA.

In this pilot randomized controlled trial the investigators hypothesize that compared to a control group (i.e. the Delayed Intervention group), participants in the Immediate Intervention Group will 1) increase moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 2) reduce sedentary time, 3) improve OA disease status, and 4) improve abilities to self-manage their condition.

Inclusion criteria

• Have a physician confirmed diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis OR are both 1) over 50, and 2) have experienced 4 weeks of pain, aching, or discomfort in or around the knee during the last year (equal to or more than 28 separate or consecutive days).
• Have no previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, connective tissue diseases, fibromyalgia or gout.
• Have no history of using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or gout medications.
• Have no prior knee replacement surgery, and not on a waiting list for total knee replacement surgery.
• Have no history of acute injury to the knee in the past 6 months.
• Have not had surgery in the back, hip, knee, foot or ankle joints in the past 12 months.
• Have an email address and daily access to a computer with internet connection.
• Be able to attend a 2-hour education session at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre.

Exclusion criteria

• Have a body mass index of equal to or greater than 40
• Have received a steroid injection in a knee in the last 6 months
• Have received a hyaluronate injection in a knee in the last 6 months
• Use medication that may impair activity tolerance (e.g. beta blockers)
• Are at risk when exercising, as identified by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)