Can Computer-based Telephone Counseling Improve Long-term Adherence to Strength Training in Elders With Knee OA?

24 -month change in self-report of pain and function using the WOMAC index

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items divided into 3 subscales: Pain (5 items): during walking, using stairs, in bed, sitting or lying, and standing upright Stiffness (2 items): after first waking and later in the day Physical Function (17 items): using stairs, rising from sitting, standing, bending, walking, getting in/out of a car, shopping, putting on/taking off socks, rising from bed, lying in bed, getting in/out of bath, sitting, getting on/off toilet, heavy domestic duties, light domestic duties Responses to individual questions \[between 0 (extreme) and 4 (None)\] are summed to a raw score ranging from 0 (worst) to 96 (best) and then normalized to a WOMAC Score of between 0 (worst) to 100 (best). The difference in pain and function subscale values between the measures following the exercise class and the 24-month follow-up were used for secondary outcomes.

Time frame: post the 1-month exercise class, 24 months

Quadriceps strength

Isokinetic quadriceps strength will be assessed with a Biodex

Time frame: Change in quadriceps strength from baseline to 24 months.

Timed Physical Function tasks

Timed physical function tasks will include a timed get up and go, timed stair ascent and descent, and a 5 and 10 chair stand time. We will examine the association of adherence, as a dichotomous and continuous variable, to change in timed physical function using logistic and linear regression, respectively.