Educational program based on health belief model on knee osteoarthritis pain management in Iranian peri menopausal...

In light of the alarming rise in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) among the population in Iran, this study rigorously evaluated the efficacy of a model-based educational intervention designed to significantly alleviate knee pain and other debilitating symptoms in peri-menopausal women affected by this condition in Yasouj, Iran.

This randomized, parallel-controlled study was conducted on 100 peri-menopausal women with KOA who were randomly divided into two groups: intervention and control (50 women in each group). The model-based knee protective interventional program was applied just to the intervention group. However, the control group received just the medication that the physician prescribed. Data by demographic questionnaire, Rheumatoid arthritis self-efficacy (RASE), and Western Ontario and Mc. Master Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was collected at baseline and 6-month follow-up and analyzed by SPSS 20. The primary outcome in this study was pain severity, which was measured by WOMAC.

A total of 100 eligible women, including 50 women with a mean age of 44.8 ± 4.5 years in the intervention group and 50 women with a mean age of 47.2 ± 4.9 years in the control group, took part in this study. Comparing WOMAC subscales of intervention group versus control group at 6- month follow up, showed intervention group has obtained significant improvement in clinical symptom (13.10 ± 11.42 vs. 5.5 ± 10.6 ; P < 0.001), joint stiffness (8.99 ± 8.85 vs. 1.69 ± 8.96 ; P < 0.001), muscle strengths (3.00 ± 8.2 vs. 1.00 ± 0.01; P < 0.001 ), daily activities (12.50 ± 8.31 vs. 5.06 ± 4.04 ; P < 0.001) and pain severity (16.50 ± 7.37 vs. 2.56 ± 4.08; P < 0.001).

This study could be a scientific basis for future studies in research centers that work to promote self-management behaviors among KOA patients and improve the health systems of their countries.

The study was registered in IRCT20220105053636N1 on 05/02/2022.