Subgrouping and targeted exercise programmes for knee and hip osteoarthritis (steer oa): an individual participant data meta-analysis initiative

Abstract

Purpose: Therapeutic exercise is a recommended core treatment for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, the average effect sizes for pain and physical function observed in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) tend to be small to moderate compared to no exercise controls. This may be due to insufficient targeting of exercise to subgroups of people who are most likely to respond, and/or suboptimal content of exercise programmes. This study aims to identify a) subgroups of people with knee and hip OA that do/do not respond to therapeutic exercise, and to different types of exercise programme, and b) mediators of the effect of therapeutic exercise for reducing pain and improving physical function. It is hoped this could lead to better targeting and refining of future exercise interventions.