STRATIFIED EXERCISE THERAPY BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS IN PRIMARY CARE IS FEASIBLE IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background There is strong evidence that exercise therapy is effective in reducing pain and activity limitations in knee osteoarthritis (OA), but effect sizes are low to moderate. Stratified exercise therapy tailored to clinically relevant subgroups of patients is expected to optimise treatment effects in a cost-effective manner. Objectives This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a newly developed model of stratified exercise therapy in primary care. Methods A mixed method design was used, consisting of an uncontrolled pretest-posttest design and a process evaluation. Eligible patients visiting a participating primary care physical therapist (PT) were included. Based on our model, par..