Mobile Technology to Support Physical Therapy Exercise

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Osteoarthritis of Knee, Osteoarthritis Of Hip

In brief

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S, particularly in older adults. Exercise is an evidence-based treatment option that improves pain and disability outcomes in adults with osteoarthritis, but adherence to prescribed exercise is generally low. Technology such as mobile applications (apps) for smartphones and tablets offers the potential to support exercise adherence through evidence-based components and enhanced communication between physical therapists and patients. The investigators aim to test mobile app-supported physical therapy exercise prescription compared to standard care. The investigators propose to use a two-arm randomized control trial with subjects in the intervention receiving mobile app-supported physical therapy exercise prescription and the control group receiving usual care physical therapy exercise prescription (paper handouts and verbal instruction). No known studies have assessed the impact of technological integration on adherence with PT exercises for OA. Current approaches such as therapist drawn pictures, hand-written or print-ready instructions do not account for patient communication preferences or ability to translate drawings into physical action. Mobile technology offers a potential solution to patient-centered care but has not been evaluated. This study will provide valuable information on effectiveness and user perspectives to key stakeholders such as patients, health care administrators, physical therapists and app designers.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03428893

Run by

University of Vermont

People needed

60

Starts

2018-01-08

Expected to finish

2019-08-30

Last updated by the study team

2021-09-28

Who can join

Age: 50 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Self-report of healthcare provider diagnosed osteoarthritis in the hips or knees
• Ability to speak and read English
• No diagnosis of serious mental illness
• No diagnosis of serious or terminal illness (e.g., metastatic cancer, end stage renal failure)
• Access to smartphone/tablet

You may not qualify if…

• Cortisone injection to the joint with OA within the past 30 days
• Undergoing physical therapy post-total joint replacement or in preparation for total joint replacement in the next 3 months
• History of physical therapy for treatment of osteoarthritis in the past 6 months.

Where it is running

• Dee Physical Therapy — South Burlington, Vermont, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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