Short and medium-term effects of an education self-management program for individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee, designed and delivered by health professionals: a quality assurance study.
BACKGROUND
Self-management (SM) programs are effective for some chronic conditions, however the evidence for arthritis SM is inconclusive. The aim of this case series project was to determine whether a newly developed specific self-management program for people with osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK), implemented by health professionals could achieve and maintain clinically meaningful improvements.


METHODS



METHODS
79 participants enrolled; mean age 66, with established osteoarthritis of the knee. People with coexisting inflammatory joint disease or serious co-morbidities were excluded.


METHODS
6-week disease (OA) and site (knee) specific self-management education program that included disease education, exercise advice, information on healthy lifestyle and relevant information within the constructs of self-management. This program was conducted in a community health care setting and was delivered by health professionals thereby utilising their knowledge and expertise.


METHODS
Pain, physical function and mental health scales were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, 6 and 12 months using WOMAC and SF-36 questionnaires. Changes in pain during the 8-week intervention phase were monitored with VAS.


RESULTS
Pain improved during the intervention phase: mean (95% CI) change 15 (8 to 22) mm. Improvements (0.3 to 0.5 standard deviation units) in indices of pain, mental health and physical functioning, assessed by SF-36 and WOMAC questionnaires were demonstrated from baseline to 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This disease and site-specific self-management education program improved health status of people with osteoarthritis of the knee in the short and medium term.
Coleman
Sophie
S
Arthritis Foundation of Western Australia, PO Box 34, Wembley, Western Australia, 6913, Australia. sophiec@iinet.net.au
Briffa
Kathryn
K
Conroy
Heather
H
Prince
Richard
R
Carroll
Graeme
G
McQuade
Jean
J
D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
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