OPEN (Osteoarthritis Physical Activity and Exercise Net) is a website created based on a well developed behavioural theory. This intervention is developed for people with early knee osteoarthritis (OA) who have been sedentary. The investigators aim to engage these individuals to become physically active at a time when their joint symptoms tend to be mild. The primary goal of this proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial is to determine if the OPEN website plus an information pamphlet about OA will improve participation in physical activity in persons with early knee OA, compared to those who receive only the pamphlet.
Being physically active has been shown to reduce pain, improve quality of life and potentially reduce joint damage. However, our recent survey in British Columbia found only 1 in 4 people with mild osteoarthritis symptoms (pain; stiffness) met the recommended level of physical activity. Research in people without arthritis shows that web-based tools can increase walking behaviour, but none of these tools are designed with the needs of people with arthritis in mind. Research in other chronic diseases has found that people are more likely to quit smoking shortly after the diagnosis of a smoking-related disease. Thus, the diagnosis of osteoarthritis presents an ideal 'teachable moment' to engage those who have been sedentary to become physically active. This project will address the Research Question: Can an interactive website increase physical activity in people with previously undiagnosed knee OA and those with a diagnosis of knee OA with no contraindication for being physically active? We have created a website, called OPEN (Osteoarthritis Physical Activity \& Exercise Net), based on a well developed behavioural theory. A total of 252 sedentary people with knee osteoarthritis will be recruited in British Columbia to test the website. Half of them will be assigned to use the OPEN website for 3 months and will receive an education pamphlet produced by The Arthritis Society; the other half will only receive the pamphlet. During the test period, participants will complete an online questionnaire at 0, 3 and 6 months to allow us to follow changes in physical activity, knee symptoms and outcomes related to their motivation to become physically active. In addition,Participants will be stratified by OA diagnosis (having previously undiagnosed OA, as identified by a validated questionnaire, versus having a knee OA diagnosis). participants from Metro Vancouver who have previously undiagnosed knee OA will complete an aerobic fitness test administered by a blind assessor. Changes between the two groups will be compared. Our project directly targets physical inactivity at a time when the joint damage tends to be mild, and when people are more motivated to adopt a healthy behaviour. If the OPEN is found to be effective in improving physical activity, it opens further opportunities to promote early diagnosis and to implement lifestyle interventions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
75
The OPEN website includes interactive modules that allow users to prioritise their daily activities, set goals and find venues where they can participate in different types of activities according to their preferences and the local availability
Arthritis Research Centre
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Modified Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ).
Proportion of participants meeting the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity recommendation of 150 minutes or more of weekly physical activity (moderate or heavy intensity).
Time frame: Change from baseline in levels of physical activity at 3 months and 6 months
Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score (KOOS).
The KOOS consists of five subscales: knee pain, stiffness, daily activity, sports/recreation, and quality of life.
Time frame: Change from baseline in knee pain, stiffness, daily activity, sports/recreation and quality of life at 3 months and 6 months
Rhode's 7-point Likert-type Theory of Planned Behaviour questionnaire
Motivation for physical activity will be measured with Rhode's 7-point Likert-type Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) questionnaire. It consists of 16 items measuring all components of the TPB model, including behavioural, normative and control beliefs.
Time frame: Change from baseline in motivation for physical activity at 3 months and 6 months
Aerobic fitness (V02Peak)
A sub-sample of participants (n=40) will undergo a submaximal aerobic fitness test at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Aerobic fitness will be predicted by extrapolating the heart rate and oxygen update responses to three submaximal exercise stages.
Time frame: Change from baseline in aerobic fitness at 3 months and 6 months
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