Effect of knee strengthening exercises and lifestyle modifications through mobile phone support in people suffering from knee osteoarthritis

Nikhil Garg; Nikhil Gupta; Kavin Khatri; Abhinav Kanwal; Zeeshan Hussain; Jimmy Sachdeva

doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002624

Effect of knee strengthening exercises and lifestyle modifications through mobile phone support in people suffering from knee osteoarthritis

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Sep 16. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002624. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Nikhil Garg¹, Nikhil Gupta², Kavin Khatri³, Abhinav Kanwal², Zeeshan Hussain⁴, Jimmy Sachdeva⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda-151001, Punjab, India.
² Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda-151001, Punjab, India.
³ Department of Orthopedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Satellite Centre, Sangrur-148001, Punjab, India.
⁴ Department of Physiotherapy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda-151001, Punjab, India.

PMID: 39331052
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002624

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile phone-based support in improving exercise adherence and outcomes in knee OA.

Designs: A prospective comparative cohort study was conducted with a follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 weeks, involving 210 participants allocated into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received knee exercise flyers and mobile phone-based adherence support, while the control group received only standard instructions after physiotherapy. Outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, numeric rating scale pain scores, and quality of life assessments at baseline and follow-ups at 3, 6 and 12 weeks.

Results: The intervention group exhibited significant reductions in WOMAC scores, pain scores and improvement in quality of life over the 12-week follow-up compared to baseline. The intervention group exhibited significantly greater improvements in the outcomes as compared to control group.

Conclusion: A combined intervention of knee exercises leaflets and SMS/phone-call adherence support led to significant improvements in pain, functional outcomes and quality of life among individuals with knee OA. These findings underscore the potential of mobile phone-based interventions as effective adjuncts to traditional therapies for knee OA.