Feasibility of a Wearable-enabled Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in People Knee OA
Feasibility of a Wearable-enabled Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in People Knee OA
Physical activity is an essential first-line treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis
 (OA). However, a 2013 systematic review found only 13% met the activity recommendation of 150
 minutes or more per week. The primary goal of this pilot randomized controlled trail is to
 assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a multi-component intervention/model of
 care involving a group education session, use of the Fitbit Flex (a wireless physical
 activity tracking device), and weekly telephone counselling by a physiotherapist (PT) to
 improve physical activity and reduce sedentary time in patients with knee OA.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common (affecting 1 in 10), painful, and debilitating. Being
 physically active improves pain, mobility and quality of life for people living with knee OA;
 however, less than half of patients are active. Combining the best evidence in OA care and
 digital technology, the investigators propose a new model of care for improving physical
 activity in patients with OA.

 The investigators primary objective is to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy
 of a multi-component model of care involving 1) a group education and structured goal-setting
 session, 2) the use of Fitbit Flex (a commercially available physical activity tracker) and
 3) weekly telephone activity counselling by a physiotherapist for improving physical activity
 and reducing sedentary time in patients with knee OA.

 In this pilot randomized controlled trial the investigators hypothesize that compared to a
 control group (i.e. the Delayed Intervention group), participants in the Immediate
 Intervention Group will 1) increase moderate/vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 2) reduce
 sedentary time, 3) improve OA disease status, and 4) improve abilities to self-manage their
 condition.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Have a physician confirmed diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis OR are both 1) over 50,
 and 2) have experienced 4 weeks of pain, aching, or discomfort in or around the knee
 during the last year (equal to or more than 28 separate or consecutive days).

 -  Have no previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing
 spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, connective tissue diseases, fibromyalgia or gout.

 -  Have no history of using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or gout medications.

 -  Have no prior knee replacement surgery, and not on a waiting list for total knee
 replacement surgery.

 -  Have no history of acute injury to the knee in the past 6 months.

 -  Have not had surgery in the back, hip, knee, foot or ankle joints in the past 12
 months.

 -  Have an email address and daily access to a computer with internet connection.

 -  Be able to attend a 2-hour education session at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Have a body mass index of equal to or greater than 40

 -  Have received a steroid injection in a knee in the last 6 months

 -  Have received a hyaluronate injection in a knee in the last 6 months

 -  Use medication that may impair activity tolerance (e.g. beta blockers)

 -  Are at risk when exercising, as identified by the Physical Activity Readiness
 Questionnaire (PAR-Q)