Effects of an Intervention Program on Osteoarthritis Pain, Physical Function, Mood, and Quality of Life among Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis and with Their Family Members' Participation

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting mostly older adults. Among all OA sites, knees are most commonly affected. The primary risk factor for knee OA is obesity. Knee OA significantly affects daily activities, with affected patients tending to avoid activity due to fear of causing pain. Unfortunately, inactivity may contribute to muscle weakness and joint instability, increase the risk of falls, promote weight gain and possible obesity, cause other chronic diseases, increase depressive-symptom risk, and interfere with quality of life (QoL). For all people with clinical OA, three core treatments are recommended: education, advice, information access; strength and aerobic fitness training; and weight loss if overweight/obese. Since OA usually develops gradually over time, health care providers should provide holistic assessment for their clients, provide care based on their treatment preferences, and provide these three core treatments for patients all stages of OA. A recently updated guideline strongly recommends weight management for all people with knee OA, not only for those who are overweight/obese. Family members' support is a significant facilitator for older adults with knee OA to exercise and control their weight. Involving family members in the intervention program may increase the effects of the intervention. Thus far, no intervention programs have based on patients' preferences and have focused on older adults with all stages of knee OA and their family members. Moreover, some of important assessments cannot be measured due to a lack of validated structured questionnaires. To address these concerns, our proposed 3-year study will include three stages. In Stage I, we will (1) develop and validate four questionnaires to measure the OA-treatment preferences of older adults with knee OA; the needs of family members of older adults with knee OA for assisting their relatives in exercises; the needs of family members of older adults with knee OA for assisting their relatives in weight control; and older adults with knee OA and their family members about their knowledge of healthy eating, and (2) explore the OA knowledge and attitudes toward exercise of family members of older adults with knee OA. In Stage II, we will revise our previous integrated health care program for older adults who refuse physician-recommended total knee arthroplasty by including older adults with all stages of knee OA and by involving these adults' family members in the program; and then examine the feasibility of this program. In Stage III, we will use the results of Stage II to reform the integrated health care program for older adults with knee OA and conduct a study to evaluate the effects of this new program 1-6 months after the intervention. Project results will demonstrate the effects of an intervention program on pain, physical function, mood and QoL in older adults with knee OA. The program may then be used clinically to help this population.

Project ID:PC10907-0903
External Project ID:MOST109-2314-B182-061-MY3