Feasibility of Good Boost+ for adults awaiting total knee replacement
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of a Community-Based Aquatic Exercise and Peer Support Intervention (Good Boost+) for Adults on Knee Replacement Waiting Lists: A Randomised Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation Feasibility Trial
IRAS ID
349699
Contact name
Nicky Wilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Knee replacement surgery can greatly reduce pain and improve mobility for people with severe knee arthritis. However, NHS waiting times for this operation are often long. During this period, people may experience worsening pain, reduced ability to work or enjoy life, low mood, and increased reliance on strong painkillers. These challenges may also negatively affect recovery after surgery.
Exercise programmes undertaken before surgery, often called ‘prehabilitation’, can help people feel better while they wait and may improve recovery afterwards. However, such programmes are not widely available across the UK, and access varies depending on where people live.
Good Boost+ is a six-week, personalised exercise and peer support programme designed to address this gap. It includes water-based group exercise sessions in local swimming pools and land-based exercise done at home or in another quiet space, either alone or by joining a virtual group. Exercise programmes are delivered via Good Boost’s digital technology, accessed on waterproof tablets at swimming pools, and smartphones or tablet computers for land-based sessions. Physiotherapy staff provide guidance throughout, and volunteers offer refreshments after pool sessions to encourage social connection. Early pilot work suggests Good Boost+ could benefit people awaiting knee replacement, but further evidence is needed to understand how acceptable and useful the programme is.
We will carry out a randomised controlled feasibility trial of Good Boost+ involving adults on NHS knee replacement waiting lists. We aim to recruit 48 participants from orthopaedic services at NHS Trusts in Southeast London. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive usual care or usual care plus Good Boost+. The study will assess recruitment and retention, adherence to the programme, acceptability to patients, NHS and leisure centre staff, appropriate outcome measures, and factors that support or hinder delivery.
Funder: National Institute for Health and Care Research
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
26/WS/0079
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion