Comparing an Expanded Versus Brief Telehealth Physical Therapist Intervention for Knee Osteoarthritis: Study Protocol for the Delaware PEAK Randomized Controlled Trial

Jason T Jakiela; Dana Voinier; Rana S Hinman; Jennifer Copson; Laura A Schmitt; Tara R Leonard; Jéssica B Aily; Barry A Bodt; Daniel K White

doi:10.1093/ptj/pzac139

Comparing an Expanded Versus Brief Telehealth Physical Therapist Intervention for Knee Osteoarthritis: Study Protocol for the Delaware PEAK Randomized Controlled Trial

Phys Ther. 2023 Feb 1;103(2):pzac139. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac139.

Authors

Jason T Jakiela^{1

2}, Dana Voinier^{1

2}, Rana S Hinman³, Jennifer Copson¹, Laura A Schmitt¹, Tara R Leonard⁴, Jéssica B Aily^{1

5}, Barry A Bodt⁶, Daniel K White^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
² Department of Biomechanics and Movement Science, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
³ Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
⁵ Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
⁶ College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.

PMID: 36200390
DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzac139

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a remotely delivered physical therapist intervention increases physical activity (PA) over 12 weeks, compared with existing web-based resources, in adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: This will be a single-center, randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms: (1) the Expanded Intervention (Delaware PEAK [Physical Exercise and Activity for Knee osteoarthritis]), which includes five 45- to 60-minute video conference-based sessions of supervised exercise (strengthening exercises, step goals) that are remotely delivered over 12 weeks by a physical therapist; or (2) the Brief Intervention (control group), a website that includes prerecorded videos directing participants to web-based resources for strengthening, PA, and pain management for knee OA that are freely available. The trial will enroll 100 participants who meet the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence OA clinical criteria (≥45 years old, have activity-related knee pain, and have no morning stiffness or it lasts ≤30 minutes), reside in the contiguous United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), and are seeking to be more physically active. Outcomes include PA (time in moderate-to-vigorous and light PA, steps per day), sedentary behaviors, treatment beliefs, and self-efficacy for exercise. Our primary outcome is moderate-to-vigorous PA. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.

Impact: This protocol focuses on the remote delivery of physical therapy via telehealth to adults with knee OA and comes at a critical time, because the burden of inactivity is of particular concern in this population. If successful, the findings of this work will provide strong support for the broad implementation of Delaware PEAK, highlight the utility of telehealth in physical therapy, and address the critical need to utilize exercise to manage adults with knee OA through physical therapists.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04980300.

Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis; Physical Activity; Protocol; Strength Training; Telemedicine.

Publication types

Clinical Trial Protocol
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Crisis Intervention
Delaware
Exercise Therapy / methods
Humans
Middle Aged
Osteoarthritis, Knee* / rehabilitation
Physical Therapists*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Telemedicine*
Treatment Outcome

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04980300