Joint Academy Intervention Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Joint Academy Digital Treatment Programme Intervention for Osteoarthritis Patients in the North of Scotland
IRAS ID
304738
Contact name
James Beastall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 22 days
Research summary
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and in the UK it affects about a third of people over the age of 45 equating to about 8.75 million people (Bhalara, 2021). It is more common in women, and is associated with obesity and increased weight. The NICE Guideline for osteoarthritis states that it is important to support and agree individualised self-management strategies including positive behavioural changes such as exercise and weight loss (NICE, 2021).It also states that surgery should only be considered when other options such as exercise have been tried and have not led to a Quality of Life improvement (NICE, 2021). It is thought that a more holistic approach to management and self-management using exercise might reduce the need for interventional surgery. In the NHS, following the Covid 19 pandemic the lists for replace knee and hip surgery are substantial, and the NHS is looking at alternatives to try and reduce the waiting times, and to offer non-surgical interventions to patients where possible. This study aims to evaluate one such alternative approach. The Joint Academy, a Swedish company, offers a digital first-line treatment, including physiotherapy, personalised activities and management, and education about osteoarthritis for patients and carers. Aiming to have 100 hip and knee surgery waiting list participants from NHS Highland, the study will test clinical change, acceptability of the on-line intervention and quality of life outcomes.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0364
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion