ACT-FLARE pilot study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient-led non-pharmacological management of ACuTe FLAREs of knee osteoarthritis in primary care settings: a feasibility and pilot study
IRAS ID
207833
Contact name
George Peat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Keele University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 9 days
Research summary
Knee osteoarthritis pain affects approximately 1 in 4 adults from middle age onwards and can restrict everyday tasks, including work. Although most people who consult their GP are given information and advice, particularly around weight loss and exercise, patients often lack support and guidance in understanding the behaviour of their symptoms. Evidence suggests that knee pain/osteoarthritis is not experienced the same by everyone but most people experience good days and bad days. Currently there is limited evidence about how people’s daily activities relate to unusual increases in pain (flare-ups). Capturing this information as it happens requires novel approaches to faster data collection.
This feasibility and pilot study aims to recruit 50 participants who have consulted their GP with knee pain and/or knee osteoarthritis, within the last 2 years.
Eligible participants will be provided with access to the ACT-FLARE study web-based interface where they will be asked to give e-consent. After consenting to taking part in the study, participants will be invited to complete a baseline questionnaire.
Following this, all participants will then be invited to complete an online questionnaire at one week, five weeks and nine weeks. These questionnaires will ask them about their activities during the last 7 days.
Participants will also be encouraged to notify the research team if and when they experience a flare-up of their knee pain at any point during the 9 week study period. They will then be encouraged to complete an online questionnaire. This questionnaire will ask about activities during the 7 days prior to the start of the flare-up. This will then be followed by a short daily questionnaire until they indicate that the flare-up has resolved.
Additionally the first 10 participants enrolled into the study will be invited to answer brief daily questions for the 9 week duration of the study.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0390
Date of REC Opinion
22 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion