Clinical Sciences/Health Conditions
Nathan Johns, MD
Clinical Director Subacute Services
Peninsula Health
Hampton North, Victoria, Australia
Prospective, two group parallel randomised pilot study conducted online in Australia with recruitment using social media. Participants included adults with persistent pain >3/10 in the operated knee, more than 3-months post- knee replacement for osteoarthritis.
The intervention group had 8 weeks to access Kneed, a digital program of pain neuroscience education, medication education, exercises, lifestyle management and cognitive strategies aiming to reduce pain, improve function and improve quality of life. The Kneed group were compared to a usual care group, who were offered access to Kneed at the conclusion of 8 weeks.
Results:
We recruited 60 participants over a 3-month period between October and December 2024, mean age 68.7 years, 75% female, 66.7% retired and 43% living outside metropolitan areas.
There were 418 initial online eligibility surveys performed. From this, 190 (45.5%) were deemed potentially eligible; 82 (19.6%) left contact details and 60 (14.4%) consented.
At eight weeks, there were 48 (80%) participants remaining in the trial consisting of 20 Kneed (64.5%) and 28 usual care (96.6%).
The majority of the remaining Kneed group found the Kneed program acceptable, would use it again and reported that it effectively managed their pain and function, health and well-being. Fifty percent of those completing Kneed reported a 50% reduction in pain. Quality of life improved in the Kneed group.
Conclusion:
It is feasible to recruit and retain older Australians with moderate to severe knee pain post-knee replacement for a trial testing a digital pain rehabilitation self-management program. A larger trial is indicated to further test the clinical effectiveness of Kneed to reduce pain, improve function and improve quality of life.
