Feasibility of the SOAR (Stop OsteoARthritis) program

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Science
• Digital Health
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Activity-related knee injuries are common and can lead to long-term knee health issues and osteoarthritis.
• Effective self-management strategies are crucial for individuals post-knee trauma.
• Physiotherapist-guided programs can support recovery and reduce osteoarthritis risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a virtually-delivered, physiotherapist-guided knee health program (SOAR).
• To target self-management of knee health and osteoarthritis risk after activity-related knee injury.

Main Methods:

• A 4-week quasi-experimental feasibility study involving individuals with knee trauma.
• Program components included virtual group education, 1:1 exercise/activity goal-setting, home-based exercise tracking, and physiotherapy-guided action-planning.
• Feasibility assessed via attrition, adherence, intervention fidelity, adverse events, goal completion, acceptability, and efficacy outcomes (KOOS, PSFS, GLTEQ, PHS).

Main Results:

• No participant attrition or adverse events were reported; 90% of mandatory components were completed.
• High adherence (80%) and goal achievement (96% exercise-therapy, 95% activity goals) were observed.
• Significant improvements in physical activity (GLTEQ) were reported by both genders. Women showed improvements in PHS and PSFS scores.

Conclusions:

• The SOAR program is feasible for individuals at various timepoints post-knee trauma.
• Gender may influence SOAR program implementation and assessment outcomes.
• A randomized controlled trial is recommended to confirm the intervention's efficacy.