Exercise supervision via telehealth resources is an alternative to the in-person modality with similar therapeutic effectiveness across different clinical profiles. Especially in the context of knee osteoarthritis (OA), exercise is recommended by international guidelines. However, it is necessary to elucidate the comparability of remote and in-person supervised exercise effectiveness for these patients. Therefore, the study's objective is to investigate the responses of a remote compared to the in-person supervised exercise program on patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs), muscular architecture, and the functional performance of patients with knee OA. Forty-eight patients with symptomatic and radiographic knee OA will be randomly assigned to remote or in-person exercise programs. The intervention will last 12 weeks, encompassing muscle-strengthening exercises for the lower extremities, with a frequency of twice a week for the initial two weeks and three sessions per week from the third week onwards. Supervision will be conducted remotely via video calls in one group, while the other will receive in-person supervision at a physiotherapy clinic. Program sessions will comprise six exercises. In the first session treatment block, exercises will be guided for the muscle groups of the knee extensors, hip adductors, and plantar flexors, and in the second block, for knee extensors, hip abductors, and knee flexors. After the 12-week supervised treatment period, participants will be encouraged to continue the same exercise program at home without a physiotherapist in the following six weeks. PROMs related to the joint condition will be measured, such as pain, symptoms, daily activities, sports and leisure activities, and quality of life. The psychological domain will also be evaluated, including pain catastrophizing, symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and sleep quality. Additionally, measurements of the muscular architecture of the quadriceps femoris, including muscle thickness, pennation angle, fascicle length, and echo intensity, will be taken. Functional performance will be assessed through tests that include the skills of standing and sitting, walking and going up, and down stairs. PROMs will be measured at weeks 0, 6, 12, and 18. Muscular architecture and functional parameters will be measured at weeks 0 and 12. Data analysis will be conducted using Linear Mixed Models, and analysis will be presented by intention to treat and per protocol. The significance level adopted for this study will be α = 0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
48
The exercise protocol for this group consists of individualized muscle-strengthening exercises for the lower extremities supervised by video call. The intervention will occur 2-3 times per week, each lasting approximately 40 minutes. The exercise protocol will consist of six muscle-strengthening exercises for the lower extremities, which will be guided, alternating muscle groups. In the first two weeks of treatment, exercise intensity will be monitored for participants to complete two sets of 8-12 repetitions in dynamic exercises. From the third week onward, participants will progress to one additional set. Adjustments to weight-bearing, the external load imposed by the elastic band, and exercise position throughout the protocol will be performed to maintain the participant's level of effort. After supervised exercise treatment, patients will be encouraged to maintain an exercise routine with the same exercise protocol, however, without physiotherapy supervision.
The exercise protocol for this group consists of individualized muscle-strengthening exercises for the lower extremities supervised at a physiotherapy clinic. The intervention will occur 2-3 times per week, each lasting approximately 40 minutes. The exercise protocol will consist of six muscle-strengthening exercises for the lower extremities, which will be guided, alternating muscle groups. In the first two weeks of treatment, exercise intensity will be monitored for participants to complete two sets of 8-12 repetitions in dynamic exercises. From the third week onward, participants will progress to one additional set. Adjustments to weight-bearing, the external load imposed by the elastic band, and exercise position throughout the protocol will be performed to maintain the participant's level of effort. After supervised exercise treatment, patients will be encouraged to maintain an exercise routine with the same exercise protocol, however, without physiotherapy supervision.
Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Pain intensity
Average pain intensity in the last week will be assessed using an 11-point Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), in which 0 corresponds to "no pain," and 10 represents "worst possible pain." NRS is a patient-reported outcome measure for assessment and clinical decision-making in patients with knee OA with good psychometric properties (ORNETTI et al., 2011).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12).
Physical function
Physical function will be measured by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) using an Activities of Daily Living subscale. The KOOS is a patient-reported outcome measure composed of 42 items divided into five subscales: Pain, other Symptoms, Activities of daily living, Sport and Recreation Function, and Knee-related Quality of Life. Its score ranges from 0 (extreme problem) to 100 (no problems) separately in each subscale (COLLINS et al., 2011). The Brazilian version of the KOOS questionnaire was recently validated, consisting of an instrument with validity, reliability, and responsiveness in patients with knee OA (ALMEIDA et al., 2022).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12).
Pain intensity
Average pain intensity in the last week will be assessed using an 11-point Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), in which 0 corresponds to "no pain," and 10 represents "worst possible pain." NRS is a patient-reported outcome measure for assessment and clinical decision-making in patients with knee OA with good psychometric properties (ORNETTI et al., 2011).
Time frame: Follow up period (week 18).
Physical function
Physical function will be measured by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) using an Activities of Daily Living subscale. The KOOS is a patient-reported outcome measure composed of 42 items divided into five subscales: Pain, other Symptoms, Activities of daily living, Sport and Recreation Function, and Knee-related Quality of Life. Its score ranges from 0 (extreme problem) to 100 (no problems) separately in each subscale (COLLINS et al., 2011). The Brazilian version of the KOOS questionnaire was recently validated, consisting of an instrument with validity, reliability, and responsiveness in patients with knee OA (ALMEIDA et al., 2022).
Time frame: Follow up period (week 18).
Pain score
Pain will be measured by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score using the pain subscale. Its score ranges from 0 (extreme problem) to 100 (no problems) (COLLINS et al., 2011).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms (hear clicking, swelling, catching, restricted range of motion, and stiffness) will be measured by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score using the other symptoms subscale. Its score ranges from 0 (extreme problem) to 100 (no problems) (COLLINS et al., 2011).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Sport and Recreation Function
Sport and Recreation Function will be measured by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score using the Sport and Recreation Function subscale. Its score ranges from 0 (extreme problem) to 100 (no problems) (COLLINS et al., 2011).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Knee-related Quality of Life
Knee-related Quality of Life will be measured by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score using the Knee-related Quality of Life subscale. Its score ranges from 0 (extreme problem) to 100 (no problems) (COLLINS et al., 2011).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Pain catastrophizing
Pain Catastrophizing Scale will measure pain catastrophizing. This instrument is a self-administered questionnaire, validated, translated into Brazilian Portuguese, and used to classify subjects with chronic pain as potential catastrophizers (SEHN et al., 2012; SULLIVAN, BISHOP, and PIVIK, 1995). The scale consists of 13 items related to self-reported catastrophic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 4, and the total score is generated by summing the scores of all items (0-52). Higher values indicate catastrophic thoughts about pain.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress
Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress will be measured by Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, which is a self-reported instrument validated and translated into Brazilian Portuguese (VIGNOLA and TUCCI, 2014). It consists of 21 items ranging from 0 to 3, divided into subscales of seven questions each. The highest score on each subscale represents more significant symptoms severity of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Sleep quality
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will measure sleep quality. The questionnaire, validated for the Brazilian population, comprises 19 self-reported questions and five questions directed to the roommate about sleeping habits in the last month. Questions directed to the roommate will not be considered as they are used to obtain clinical information. Thus, the 19 questions are categorized into seven components, graded on a score that ranges from 0 to 3. The sum of the scores of the seven components (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction) will result in a global score (0 to 21), where the highest score indicates worst sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), During intervention (week 6), Post-intervention (week 12), Follow up period (week 18).
Sit-to-stand activity
The 30-s chair-stand test will measure sit-to-stand activity (DOBSON et al., 2013). Participants will be instructed to sit in the center of the chair, which will be positioned against the wall, with their upper limbs resting on their chest and their feet slightly apart and aligned with their hips. Initially, the participant will perform the test movements for familiarization and be instructed to sit down and get up from the chair as quickly as possible within 30 seconds. Thus, the measurement result will consist of a total number of complete chair stands in 30 s (up and down represent one stand) (Jones, Rikli, and Beam, 1999).
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Ambulatory transition activity
The Timed Up \& Go test will measure ambulatory transition activity (DOBSON et al., 2013). Participants will be instructed to move from a seated position to standing, walk to a mark of 3 m, turn around, and return to the starting position. The measurement result will be expressed in seconds corresponding to task's completion period.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Short distance walking activity
The 40 m fast-paced walk test will measure short-distance walking activity (DOBSON et al., 2013). Subjects will be instructed to walk as quickly but as safely as possible, without running at the 10 m mark, turn around, and return, then repeat for 40m. The measurement of walking time will only consist of the 10 m walking period, excluding turns. The speed measurement will be expressed in m/s, dividing the 40 m by the time (seconds) needed to travel through the test area.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Stair negotiation activity
The Stair Climb Test will measure the subject's ability to climb stairs (DOBSON et al., 2013). Subjects will be instructed to ascend and descend stairs as quickly as possible using their usual shoes. The measurement will be expressed in seconds, corresponding to the total time taken for both ascending and descending the stairs.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Quadriceps femoris muscle thickness
The quadriceps muscle thickness will initially be measured according to quadriceps femoris images generated by muscle ultrasound. Subsequently, this measurement will be reproduced in Image-J software (National Institutes of Health, USA, version 1.53) considering the distance between the muscle fascia or at the fascia and bone structure interface (TANIGUCHI et al., 2015). The muscle thickness will be expressed in centimeters and presented as the sum of the measurements of each quadriceps femoris muscle, with individual muscle values also shown separately
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Quadriceps femoris muscle quality
Quadriceps muscle quality will be expressed as quadriceps femoris muscle echo intensity generated by muscle ultrasound and measured using a specific function (greyscale) in Image J software. The echo intensity value of the region of interest will be expressed in arbitrary units, ranging between 0 (black) and 255 (white) (PARIS e MOURTZAKIS, 2021). The highest value represents decreased muscle quality and deposition of non-contractile tissue within the muscle. The echo intensity data will be corrected according to subcutaneous fat thickness. Data will be presented as the mean of the echogenicity of the quadriceps femoris, with individual muscle values also shown separately.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Pennation angle
Measurement of the pennation angle will be performed using only images of the vastus lateralis due to the alignment of the fascicles (BLAZEVICH et al., 2007). The pennation angle is formed between the muscle fascicle line and the deep aponeurosis. It will be expressed in degrees. The mean of three measurements for pennation angle will be presented.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
Fascicle length
Measurement of the fascicle length will be performed using only images of the vastus lateralis due to the alignment of the fascicles (BLAZEVICH et al., 2007). Fascicle length is characterized by the distance of the fascicle between the superficial and deep aponeurosis. It will be estimated (in cm) from muscle thickness and fascicle pennation angle using a padronized equation. The mean of three measurements for fascicle angle will be presented.
Time frame: Baseline (week 0), and Post-intervention (week 12).
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