Use of an eHealth tool for exercise training in people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis : A prospective cohort study

Abstract: Introduction: OA of the knee and/or hip is a common joint disease where the first line treatment is physical activity and exercise, weight management and patient education. Previous research has shown that digital aids and product can be used as support for exercise. VITALA is a new digital app under development. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of VITALA regarding joint pain, opinion about the knee and/or hip and lower extremity function in people with OA of the knee and/or hip and whether signs of altered pain processing affected the effect.                                                   Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 17 participants with clinically diagnosed OA of the knee and/or hip exercised with the support of VITALA for three months. Outcome measures were Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Knee Injury/Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and 30 Second Chair Stand Test. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to see if the effect on the outcome measures was affected by pressure pain thresholds, neuropathic pain symptoms or central nervous symptoms.                 Results: No significant effect was seen on any of the outcome measures. Central Sensitization Inventory did as an individual variable in a regression model with age and gender have a significant effect on change in Knee Injury/Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Apart from this, no pain type affected the results. Conclusion: Three months of exercising with the VITALA app did not influence the outcome measures. The pain characteristic variables did generally not affect the results. This specific app requires further development and evaluation before it can be recommended to people with OA