Remotely Delivered Exercise to Rural Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

EnhanceFitness (EF) is an evidence-based exercise program recommended for management of osteoarthritis (OA). However, access to EF is limited in rural areas. Accordingly, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of remotely delivered EF (tele-EF) in rural, community-dwelling older adults with symptomatic knee OA.

A single-arm pilot trial of tele-EF classes was conducted. Videoconferencing was used to livestream the instructor-led, 1-hour EF classes 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately post intervention.

A total of 15 of 27 potential participants (55%) were screen eligible and enrolled into the trial. Participants had a median age of 70 years (interquartile range: 67-75), and 14 (93%) were women. The median EF class attendance rate was 91% (interquartile range: 85%-94%). Knee pain, as measured by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), improved significantly from baseline to the 12-week end point (mean difference = -11.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): -20.9 to -2.0]; P = 0.02). In addition, participants' self-reported knee function improved significantly (mean difference in KOOS function score = -11.8 [95% CI: -18.4 to -5.2]; P < 0.01) as well as their physical capacity (mean difference in Timed Up and Go test time = 1.8 seconds [95% CI: 0.2-3.4]; P = 0.03). All participants (100%) were very satisfied with tele-EF classes, and 12 participants (86%) reported that their condition had much improved or very much improved since beginning the EF exercise program. Lastly, there were no serious adverse events.

Findings from this pilot trial indicate that tele-EF is feasible and acceptable in rural older adults with knee OA.