Digitalization of the Care for Patients With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating three different care models for patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis to see if an app-based care model improves daily function better than a web-based model or standard care. The study also looks at patient outcomes like quality of life, pain confidence, physical activity, care use, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact over short-term (three months) and long-term (one and three years) periods. It aims to understand patient experiences and adherence to the app and identify characteristics linked to meaningful improvements. The study includes three groups: the app-based care group, which involves at least one physical clinic visit and mostly app-delivered treatment with exercises, information, progress tracking, and messaging with a physiotherapist; the web-based group, which receives osteoarthritis information and exercises via a web platform with possible individualization and contact with a physiotherapist; and the standard care group, which attends group education sessions and supervised exercise visits at the clinic. Treatments generally last about three months. Participants will be followed with questionnaires and functional tests every six months up to three years. Researchers will measure function in daily living using the HOOS/KOOS score at one and three years, along with pain, symptoms, quality of life, physical activity, self-efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. Progress reports and contact from coordinators occur if symptoms worsen. The total participation can last up to three years after treatment starts.

Digitalization of Osteoarthritis Care