Joint Academy Intervention Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Joint Academy Digital Treatment Programme Intervention for Osteoarthritis Patients in the North of Scotland
IRAS ID
304738
Contact name
James Beastall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 22 days
Research summary
Research Summary: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and in the UK it affects about a third of people over the age of 45 equating to about 8.75 million people (Bhalara, 2021). It is more common in women, and is associated with obesity and increased weight. The NICE Guideline for osteoarthritis states that it is important to support and agree individualised self-management strategies including positive behavioural changes such as exercise and weight loss (NICE, 2021).It also states that surgery should only be considered when other options such as exercise have been tried and have not led to a Quality of Life improvement (NICE, 2021). It is thought that a more holistic approach to management and self-management using exercise might reduce the need for interventional surgery. In the NHS, following the Covid 19 pandemic the lists for replace knee and hip surgery are substantial, and the NHS is looking at alternatives to try and reduce the waiting times, and to offer non-surgical interventions to patients where possible. This study aims to evaluate one such alternative approach. The Joint Academy, a Swedish company, offers a digital first-line treatment, including physiotherapy, personalised activities and management, and education about osteoarthritis for patients and carers. Aiming to have 100 hip and knee surgery waiting list participants from NHS Highland, the study will test clinical change, acceptability of the on-line intervention and quality of life outcomes.
Summary of Results:
The Joint Academy study was sponsored by NHS Highlands with the App provided by Joint Academy, a Swedish company that provides healthcare for patients with osteoarthritis. The study was led by Mr James Beastall an orthopaedic consultant at NHS Highlands. The research activity was conducted by a combined team from NHS Highlands and the University of Highlands and Islands.
The study took place across the Highlands in response to the long waiting lists for operations after the Covid pandemic. The main questions we hoped to answer from the study were:
• To investigate the usability of the Joint Academy online intervention with NHS osteoarthritis patients on the surgery waiting list for hip or knee replacement.
• To see if use of the App improve the Quality of Life of participating patients.
• To measure the effectiveness of the Joint Academy intervention on clinical and non-clinical assessments of osteoarthritis patients on the hip and knee replacement surgery list
• To see if use of the App reduced the number of patients waiting on the hip and knee replacement surgery list for osteoarthritis patients.
• To see if there were any potential economic benefits of using the Joint Academy intervention for NHS clinical services.
918 patients on elective hip or knee waiting lists were invited to take part. 182 patients responded, and 116 participants enrolled for 6 months of the trial intervention.8 of the participants opted out of surgery which when including the cost of the intervention would represent a saving of over £40,000.00 over the 116 patients who took part.
There was a significant reduction in self reported pain and joint symptoms before and after 6 months of using the app. Mobility also showed significant improvement before and after 6 months of using the app.
Uptake, enrolment, and engagement was good despite geography. Data demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement in participant reported pain and function. Results suggest that JA is feasible, beneficial and cost-effective for OA patients awaiting knee and hip surgery.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0364
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion