Knowledge Translation and Exercise for Degenerative Meniscal Tears and Early Osteoarthritis: the KNEE-DEeP Feasibility Study

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Knee pain due to a degenerative meniscal tear (DMT) or early osteoarthritis (OA) is a frequent presentation in middle-aged and older adults. In the knee joint a DMT can occur normally with age, but is also associated with the continuum of knee OA. Exercise is recommended as the main treatment to aid recovery, while an arthroscopy (camera in the knee) to remove torn cartilage does not provide any additional benefit. Despite this many patients in Ireland with this type of knee pain are referred to an orthopaedic surgeon by their GP, and do not receive recommended care from their physiotherapist. The first phase of this project designed the KNEE-DEeP (Knowledge Translation and Exercise for Early Degenerative Knee Pain) intervention to deliver better care to patients with DMT and early OA. The overall aim of this feasibility study is to test the KNEE-DEeP intervention to ensure it can be delivered as planned and it is acceptable to patients, and health care professionals (HCPs) involved in intervention delivery; GPs and physiotherapists. This is in preparation for carrying out a larger future trial. As part of the intervention, GPs and physiotherapists will receive an educational workshop. Patient participants in turn will receive an 'enhanced consultation' from their participating GP and a 'best practice' physiotherapy session focusing on strategies to enhance self-management. This approach will be tested out by enrolling 15 GPs, five physiotherapist and 36 patients in the feasibility study. Patients will be followed up after 12 weeks and six months to track their progress. As part of the evaluation all GPs, physiotherapists and patients will complete questionnaires and a sub-set will provide more in-depth feedback via interviews conducted over the phone or online.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 35
Maximum Age: 69
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Attended their GP with an episode of non-traumatic knee pain

• Have knee pain attributed to a DMT or early degenerative changes based on the GP's clinical assessment (this standardised assessment is a component of the GP training)

• Aged between 35 and 69 years inclusive

• Eligible GPs will be working in practices within traveling distance (\< 50 km) of University Hospital Kerry and willing to attend a two-hour training workshop

• Eligible physiotherapists will be involved in the delivery of outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy services at University Hospital Kerry and available to participate in training to deliver the 'best practice' physiotherapy intervention

Locations
Other Locations
Ireland
University Hospital Kerry
RECRUITING
Tralee
Contact Information
Primary
Liam Ryan, BSc Physio
liamg.ryan@hse.ie
00 353 66 7184280
Backup
Fionnán Hallinan, BSc Physio
fionnans.hallinan@hse.ie
00 353 66 7184280
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-06-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-02
Participants
Target number of participants: 36
Treatments
Experimental: KNEE-DEeP Intervention arm
The KNEE-DEeP study delivers an intervention at both the level of the healthcare professional and the patient. Healthcare professionals (GPs and physiotherapists) will receive a educational workshop and resources to use with patient participants. Patients in the intervention arm will receive an 'enhanced consultation' with their GP and early access to a 'best practice' one-hour physiotherapy session in University Hospital Kerry, along with educational resources.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of Limerick
Collaborators: Health Research Board, Ireland

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov