Digital treatment for osteoarthritis to improve access to care
Can Digitally Delivered First-line Osteoarthritis Treatment Improve Equal Access to Care in Urban and Rural Areas of Sweden
This study is testing if a digital treatment program for osteoarthritis can help people with knee or hip pain get better care compared to traditional in-person visits.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Joint Academy Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 1 site (Malmö) |
| Trial ID | NCT06148779 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study compares the utilization of a digital osteoarthritis treatment program, Joint Academy®, with a traditional face-to-face treatment program in Sweden. The digital program offers daily video instructions and individualized exercises, along with educational resources and support from physical therapists via chat and phone. The aim is to assess whether digital delivery can enhance access to care for patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas. The study will analyze patient outcomes and adherence to treatment in both formats.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with knee or hip osteoarthritis who have consented to participate in the Joint Academy treatment program.
Not a fit: Patients without a confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis or those requiring immediate face-to-face care may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve access to effective osteoarthritis treatment for patients across various geographic locations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using digital health interventions for chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
\* Patients in the Joint Academy database that had participated in the Joint Academy treatment program for OA and given their informed consent to participate in research. Inclusion criteria for the treatment program: * Radiographic and or clinical diagnosis of hip or knee OA from a physical therapist or physician (95% of all patients in previously published studies). Individuals without a prior diagnosis had clinical OA confirmed by an orthopaedic surgeon or physiotherapist via telephone (diagnosis according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) criteria and Swedish National Guidelines, and confirming the absence of any red flag symptoms), or if deemed necessary were recommended to seek face-to-face care before inclusion in the programme. * From October 1st 2021, all patients should have undergone a physical examination by doctor or physiotherapists before being able to enter the treatment.
Where this trial is running
Malmö
- Joint Academy — Malmö, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Leif E Dahlberg, Senior professor
- Email: leif@jointacademy.com
- Phone: +46406550292
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.