Group physical therapy for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis
Implementing a Group Physical Therapy Program for Veterans With Knee Osteoarthritis: Function QUERI 3.0 (QUE 25-008)
This project will test two ways of implementing group physical therapy for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis across VA clinics to see which approach helps sites start and run the program successfully.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07215572 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a type III hybrid, cluster-randomized trial that will randomize 20 VA sites 1:1 to a foundational implementation arm or the REACH (Reach Equity and Collective Health) implementation arm. Sites must have two outpatient PT clinicians and either space for in-person groups or telehealth capability; participating patients must have clinician-diagnosed symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and be safe for group exercise. The trial will measure how well each implementation approach enables sites to deliver group PT and will track patient outcomes such as pain interference and function. Results will inform how to scale group PT delivery across the VA to improve access and efficiency.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Veterans with clinician-diagnosed symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who can safely participate in group exercise and can attend sessions in person at a participating VA or via telehealth are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with substantial fall risk or other medical conditions that make group exercise unsafe, or those unable to attend in-person or telehealth sessions, are unlikely to benefit from the program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more Veterans with knee osteoarthritis could gain faster, more efficient access to effective group physical therapy, improving pain and functional outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior randomized and multi-site implementation work has shown group PT can produce similar pain and function improvements as individual PT and that many VA sites have successfully launched group PT programs.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Sites are eligible to participate if they have: * 2 outpatient PT clinicians (one primary and one back-up) for delivering Group PT * space to conduct group sessions (if delivering Group PT in person) or ability to conduct visits via telehealth (video) Patients will be eligible for Group PT if they have a clinician diagnosis of symptomatic knee OA. Exclusion Criteria: * Site will be ineligible to participate if they are already conducting a group physical therapy class for patients with knee OA. * Patients will be ineligible for Group PT if they have a substantial fall risk or co-occurring health conditions that would make participation in a group exercise class unsafe.
Where this trial is running
Durham, North Carolina
- Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC — Durham, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kelli Dominick Allen, PhD — Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
- Study coordinator: Caitlin B Kappler, MSW
- Email: Caitlin.Kappler@va.gov
- Phone: (919) 286-6936
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.