Level of participation in physical therapy or an internet-based exercise training program: associations with outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis

Sociocultural and Economic Disparities in Physical Therapy Utilization Among Insured Older Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To examine influences of sociocultural and economic determinants on physical therapy (PT) utilization for older adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

In these annual cross-sectional analyses between 2012 and 2016, we accessed Medicare enrollment data and fee-for-service claims. The cohort included Medicare beneficiaries with RA based on 3 diagnosis codes or 2 codes plus a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug medication claim. We defined race and ethnicity and dual Medicare/Medicaid coverage (proxy for income) using enrollment data. Adults with a Current Procedural Terminology code for PT evaluation were classified as utilizing PT services. Associations between race and ethnicity and dual coverage and PT utilization were estimated with logistic regression analyses. Potential interactions between race and ethnicity status and dual coverage were tested using interaction terms.

RESULTS

Of 106,470 adults with RA (75.1% female; aged 75.8 [SD 7.3] years; 83.9% identified as non-Hispanic White, 8.8% as non-Hispanic Black, 7.2% as Hispanic), 9.6-12.5% used PT in a given year. Non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.73-0.82) and Hispanic (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.98) individuals had lower odds of PT utilization than non-Hispanic White individuals. Adults with dual coverage (lower income) had lower odds of utilization than adults with Medicare only (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.43-0.46). There were no significant interactions between race and ethnicity status and dual coverage on utilization.

CONCLUSION

We found sociocultural and economic disparities in PT utilization in older adults with RA. We must identify and address the underlying factors that influence these disparities in order to mitigate them.

Delayed timing of physical therapy initiation increases the risk of future opioid use in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a real-world cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We assessed whether late versus early initiation of physical therapy (PT) was related to greater risk of future opioid use in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who receive PT.

METHODS

We used Commercial and Medicare Advantage claims data from 1999 to 2018 from American adults with incident knee OA referred for PT within 1 year of diagnosis. We categorised people as opioid naïve or opioid experienced based on prior prescriptions. We examined the association of timing of PT initiation with any and chronic opioid use over 1 year.

RESULTS

Of the 67 245 individuals with incident knee OA, 35 899 were opioid naïve and 31 346 were opioid experienced. In the opioid naïve group, compared with PT within 1 month, PT 1 to <3, 3 to <6, 6 to <9, 9-12 months from diagnosis was associated with adjusted risk ratio (aRR (95% CIs)) for any opioid use of 1.18 (1.10 to 1.28), 1.49 (1.37 to 1.61), 1.73 (1.58 to 1.89) and 1.93 (1.76 to 2.12), respectively; aRRs (95% CIs) for chronic opioid use were 1.25 (1.01 to 1.54), 1.83 (1.48 to 2.26), 2.29 (1.82 to 2.89) and 2.50 (1.96 to 3.19). Results were similar among opioid experienced; aRRs (95% CIs) for any opioid use were 1.19 (1.14 to 1.24), 1.32 (1.26 to 1.37), 1.39 (1.32 to 1.45) and 1.54 (1.46 to 1.61); aRRs (95% CIs) for chronic opioid use were 1.25 (1.17 to1.34), 1.43 (1.33 to 1.54), 1.53 (1.41 to 1.66) and 1.65 (1.51 to 1.80).

CONCLUSION

Compared with PT initiation within 1 month, delayed PT initiation was associated with higher risk of opioid use in people with incident knee OA. The longer the delay in PT initiation, the greater was the risk.

Levothyroxine use and longitudinal changes in thigh muscles in at-risk participants for knee osteoarthritis: preliminary analysis from Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort

BACKGROUND

We examined the association between levothyroxine use and longitudinal MRI biomarkers for thigh muscle mass and composition in at-risk participants for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and their mediatory role in subsequent KOA incidence.

METHODS

Using the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) data, we included the thighs and corresponding knees of participants at risk but without established radiographic KOA (baseline Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KL) < 2). Levothyroxine users were defined as self-reported use at all annual follow-up visits until the 4th year and were matched with levothyroxine non-users for potential confounders (KOA risk factors, comorbidities, and relevant medications covariates) using 1:2/3 propensity score (PS) matching. Using a previously developed and validated deep learning method for thigh segmentation, we assessed the association between levothyroxine use and 4-year longitudinal changes in muscle mass, including cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle composition biomarkers including intra-MAT (within-muscle fat), contractile percentage (non-fat muscle CSA/total muscle CSA), and specific force (force per CSA). We further assessed whether levothyroxine use is associated with an 8-year risk of standard KOA radiographic (KL ≥ 2) and symptomatic incidence (incidence of radiographic KOA and pain on most of the days in the past 12 months). Finally, using a mediation analysis, we assessed whether the association between levothyroxine use and KOA incidence is mediated via muscle changes.

RESULTS

We included 1043 matched thighs/knees (266:777 levothyroxine users:non-users; average ± SD age: 61 ± 9 years, female/male: 4). Levothyroxine use was associated with decreased quadriceps CSAs (mean difference, 95%CI: - 16.06 mm²/year, - 26.70 to - 5.41) but not thigh muscles' composition (e.g., intra-MAT). Levothyroxine use was also associated with an increased 8-year risk of radiographic (hazard ratio (HR), 95%CI: 1.78, 1.15-2.75) and symptomatic KOA incidence (HR, 95%CI: 1.93, 1.19-3.13). Mediation analysis showed that a decrease in quadriceps mass (i.e., CSA) partially mediated the increased risk of KOA incidence associated with levothyroxine use.

CONCLUSIONS

Our exploratory analyses suggest that levothyroxine use may be associated with loss of quadriceps muscle mass, which may also partially mediate the increased risk of subsequent KOA incidence. Study interpretation should consider underlying thyroid function as a potential confounder or effect modifier. Therefore, future studies are warranted to investigate the underlying thyroid function biomarkers for longitudinal changes in the thigh muscles.

Patient and clinician perspectives of online-delivered exercise programmes for chronic musculoskeletal conditions: protocol for a systematic review

Background: Despite the growing economic and social impact of chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, there has been low uptake of clinical guidelines for management, owing partly to the negative perceptions of patients and clinicians of their appropriateness and accessibility. Online-delivered exercise programmes (ODEPs) offer an alternative that can reduce costs and offer convenience for those with mobility limitations. As such, investigating participants’ perceptions of such programmes provides insight into the complexity and interplay of factors associated with uptake and optimization of implementation strategies. Objectives: This study aims to systematically review of the literature of patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. Methods: To ensure the likelihood of identifying all relevant published articles, the following databases will be searched from inception to end of the project: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, SportDiscus, AMED, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Included articles will qualitatively and/or quantitatively report the perceptions of participants of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. ODEPs are defined as either (a) synchronous, users can exchange information simultaneously, or (b) asynchronous, with at least one synchronous feature, or (c) neither, where the authors investigate a user’s past experiences and/or likelihood of participating in such a programme. Article screening and quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists will be performed by two independent reviewers. All findings from included articles will be extracted and coded using a thematic synthesis approach. Discussion: It is important to offer diverse resources to address the growing public health burden of chronic MSK conditions. This study will explore patients and clinicians’ perceptions of ODEPs including needs, appropriateness and acceptability. Our findings could be used by policy makers, clinicians, and researchers to generate new models of care that could influence the uptake and long-term sustainability of ODEPs for chronic MSK conditions. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021273773.

Patients’ perception of physical therapy after shoulder surgery

Background

Formal physical therapy (PT) traditionally has been a critical part of postoperative recovery, but recently, because of cost containment, coverage of PT has become limited. Alternatives to formal PT have been proposed, including telerehabilitation, internet-based PT (IBPT), and home-based physician-guided PT. The purpose of this study was to understand patient perceptions of PT, the benefits, perception of improvements, access to PT, and alternative forms of PT after shoulder surgery.

Methods

Eighty patients who underwent orthopedic shoulder surgery were anonymously surveyed at one institution. Demographics, PT access, number of PT sessions, insurance, copayment, patients’ perceptions of improvement, and their opinion about IBPT were collected. Answers were designed using Likert-scale or open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to report survey data. Analyses were performed based on demographic variables using independent t-test, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance.

Results

Patients attended an average of 16.3 ± 13.8 PT sessions, with 65% ± 32.2 attributing average improvement to their sessions. Average copay was $18 ± 20.8 per session, which 56.1% agreed was reasonable. Almost all patients (94.8%) agreed their therapist took time to educate them. Half (52.5%) disagreed that successful PT could be achieved by IBPT, and 68.6% of patients responded they would not consider using IBPT even after a few in-person sessions.

Conclusion

Patients have a positive perception of their therapist, cost, number of sessions, and utility of PT to impact improvements after orthopedic shoulder surgery. For IBPT to be a viable alternative, it should involve close engagement of a physical therapist given patients’ perceptions of PT.

Applications of Digital Health Technologies in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review (Preprint)

Background

With the increasing adoption of high-speed internet and mobile technologies by older adults, digital health is a promising modality to enhance clinical care for people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), including those with knee replacement (KR).

Objective

This study aimed to summarize the current use, cost-effectiveness, and patient and clinician perspectives of digital health for intervention delivery in KOA and KR.

Methods

In this narrative review, search terms such as mobile health, smartphone, mobile application, mobile technology, ehealth, text message, internet, knee osteoarthritis, total knee arthroplasty, and knee replacement were used in the PubMed and Embase databases between October 2018 and February 2021. The search was limited to original articles published in the English language within the past 10 years. In total, 91 studies were included.

Results

Digital health technologies such as websites, mobile apps, telephone calls, SMS text messaging, social media, videoconferencing, and custom multi-technology systems have been used to deliver interventions in KOA and KR populations. Overall, there was significant heterogeneity in the types and applications of digital health used in these populations. Digital patient education improved disease-related knowledge, especially when used as an adjunct to traditional methods of patient education for both KOA and KR. Digital health that incorporated person-specific motivational messages, biofeedback, or patient monitoring was more successful at improving physical activity than self-directed digital interventions for both KOA and KR. Many digital exercise interventions were found to be as effective as in-person physical therapy for people with KOA. Many digital exercise interventions for KR incorporated both in-person and web-based treatments (blended format), communication with clinicians, and multi-technology systems and were successful in improving knee range of motion and self-reported symptoms and reducing the length of hospital stays. All digital interventions that incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy or similar psychological interventions showed significant improvements in knee pain, function, and psychological health when compared with no treatment or traditional treatments for both KOA and KR. Although limited in number, studies have indicated that digital health may be cost-effective for these populations, especially when travel costs are considered. Finally, although patients with KOA and KR and clinicians had positive views on digital health, concerns related to privacy and security and concerns related to logistics and training were raised by patients and clinicians, respectively.

Conclusions

For people with KOA and KR, many studies found digital health to be as effective as traditional treatments for patient education, physical activity, and exercise interventions. All digital interventions that incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy or similar psychological treatments were reported to result in significant improvements in patients with KOA and KR when compared with no treatment or traditional treatments. Overall, technologies that were blended and incorporated communication with clinicians, as well as biofeedback or patient monitoring, showed favorable outcomes.

Application of Heterogeneity of Treatment Effect Methods: Exploratory Analyses of a Trial of Exercise-Based Interventions for Knee OA

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) in a trial of exercise-based interventions for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Participants (n=350) were randomized to standard physical therapy (PT; n=140), Internet-Based Exercise Training (IBET; n=142), or wait list control (WL; n=68). We applied QUalitative INteraction Trees (QUINT), a sequential partitioning method, and Generalized Unbiased Interaction Detection and Estimation (GUIDE), a regression tree approach, to identify subgroups with greater improvements in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score over 4-months. Predictors included 24 demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics. We conducted internal validation to estimate optimism (bias) in the range of mean outcome differences among arms.

RESULTS

Both QUINT and GUIDE indicated that for participants with lower body mass index (BMI), IBET was better than PT (improvements of WOMAC ranged from 6.3 to 9.1 points lower) and for those with higher BMI and longer duration of knee OA, PT was better than IBET (WOMAC improvement was 6.3 points). In GUIDE analyses comparing PT or IBET to WL, participants not employed had improvements in WOMAC ranging from 1.8 to 6.8 points lower with PT or IBT vs. WL. From internal validation, there were large corrections to the mean outcome differences among arms; however, after correction some differences remained in the clinically meaningful range.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest there may be subgroups who experience greater improvement in symptoms from PT or IBET, and this could guide referrals and future trials. However, uncertainty persists for specific treatment effect size estimates and how they apply beyond this study sample.

Pain-Relieving Effect of 4.4 MHz of Pulsed Radiofrequency on Acute Knee Arthritis in Rats

OBJECTIVE

Drug injections and surgery are popular treatments for knee joint osteoarthritis. However, these treatments are invasive, and new noninvasive treatments with similar or better efficacy are needed. Here, we evaluated the application of 4.4 MHz of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) as a new treatment.

METHODS

Acute arthritis was induced by injection of carrageenan into the intra-articular space of the knee in male rats. At 4.5 hours after arthritis induction, PRF with the treatment protocol of three seconds on and off was applied to the affected knee joint for 20 minutes. The changes in pain behavior were evaluated by comparing the peak weight load values of both hind paws at pretreatment and four, six, seven, eight, and 24 hours after treatment. And we also used Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to measure the inflammatory changes in the synovial membrane of the inflamed knee.

RESULTS

We found that the 20-minute application of PRF with the treatment protocol significantly recovered the weight load reduction at six-, seven-, and eight-hour time points after carrageenan injection. COX-2 and IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in the inflamed rats after PRF application at six and eight hours post-carrageenan injection. Immunohistochemistry showed that PRF significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration at six hours post-carrageenan injection.

CONCLUSIONS

. Our results indicate that noninvasive PRF application inhibited pain-related behavior and decreased inflammatory cytokine expression in the inflamed knee joints of rats. Accordingly, PRF application can serve as a potential therapeutic treatment to relieve pain associated with peripheral joint/tissue damage or inflammation.