Abstract
Background The Hip & Knee Book: Helping you cope with osteoarthritis was developed to change disadvantageous beliefs and encourage physical activity in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Aim To assess the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) of this evidence-based booklet in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Design Phase II feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Method Computerised searches of patients' record databases identified people with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, who were invited to participate in the RCT comparing the new booklet with a control booklet. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months, and included: beliefs about hip and knee pain, exercise, and fear avoidance; level of physical activity; and health service use.
Results The trial methods were feasible in terms of recruitment, randomisation, and follow-up, but most participants recruited had longstanding established symptoms. After one and 3 months, there was a small relative improvement in illness, exercise, and fear-avoidance beliefs and physical activity level in The Hip & Knee Book group (n = 59) compared with the control group (n = 60), which provides some proof of principle for using these outcomes in future trials.
Conclusion This feasibility study provided proof of principle for testing The Hip & Knee Book in a larger definitive RCT.
- osteoarthritis, hip
- osteoarthritis, knee
- patient education handout
- primary health care
- randomised controlled trial
INTRODUCTION
Systematic reviews have highlighted the effectiveness of exercise in reducing pain and disability in hip and knee osteoarthritis,1-4 and guidelines have emphasised the central role of exercise in the management of osteoarthritis.5,6 Both aerobic walking and muscle-strengthening exercise have been shown to be effective; however, the optimal type, dose, and setting for such physical activity is uncertain.3,7 Despite these benefits, long-term adherence to exercise regimes is disappointing, and if exercise is not maintained its beneficial effects decline over time and finally disappear.8 The level of physical activity in older adults in the UK is low,9-12 and reduced further by pain-related fear of movement in those with osteoarthritis.13,14 Indeed, there is a culturally conditioned response to pain that encourages rest, which is inappropriate for most people with osteoarthritis. How can people with osteoarthritis be encouraged to increase their physical activity?
The authors have developed The Hip & Knee Book: Helping you cope with osteoarthritis, which is an evidence-based advice booklet encouraging increased activity in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.15 The theoretical framework underpinning this new booklet was an extension of Leventhal's theory of self-regulation, concerning illness16 and treatment beliefs.17 The development of this booklet has been described previously.18The objectives of this phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) were to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger definitive RCT of this new booklet and to measure change in health beliefs and exercise behaviour for patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.19
METHOD
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
The protocol for this phase II RCT has been fully described elsewhere.20 Participants were recruited from four general medical practices in North East Wales in the UK. Patients aged over 50 years presenting in primary care with hip or knee osteoarthritis within the previous 12 months were identified by searching the practices' computerised patient record database for relevant diagnostic codes. Exclusion criteria were inflammatory joint disease, fractures, arthroplasty referral, and prescription of potent opioid analgesia.
How this fits in
The Hip & Knee Book: Helping you cope with osteoarthritis has been developed to change disadvantageous beliefs and encourage physical activity in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. A phase II feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) was performed comparing this new booklet with a control booklet. The trial methods were feasible and the results provide proof of principle for testing The Hip & Knee Book in a larger definitive RCT.
Randomisation
Randomisation balanced the two groups by site of pain, age, sex, and duration of symptoms, using an optimal allocation approach.21,22 Patients were recruited from each practice and then randomised as a block by an independent statistician.
Study interventions
Participants randomised to the intervention arm were sent the new advice booklet by mail. This booklet, The Hip & Knee Book: Helping you cope with osteoarthritis,15 emphasised the beneficial effects of physical activity for arthritic joints, and stressed that a substantial degree of control over their condition was possible and within each individual's capability. Participants randomised to the control arm were sent a patient information booklet about osteoarthritis produced by the Arthritis Research UK (ARUK),23 which did not address the same exercise-related beliefs. Clinical care of patients was not affected in any other manner by participation in the RCT.
Outcome measures
Outcomes were measured by postal questionnaire at baseline, 1, and 3 months. The primary outcomes were illness and treatment beliefs. Illness beliefs regarding the progressive nature of osteoarthritis were measured with the Hip and Knee Beliefs Questionnaire (HKBQ) modified from the Back Beliefs Questionnaire.24 Treatment beliefs were measured with a modified Exercise Attitude Questionnaire-18 (EAQ-18).25 Secondary outcomes included: physical activity over the previous seven days measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ);26 fear-avoidance beliefs using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK);27 and health service activity collected from a NHS perspective from responses to an adapted Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI).28
Any adverse effects were collected as written comments. All data were anonymised and coded so that data collection and statistical analysis were blinded to treatment allocation.
Trial analysis
Feasibility was assessed by measuring recruitment and retention rates. Statistical analysis of the primary and secondary outcome measures was based on an intention-to-treat analysis using repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting each patient's follow-up score with baseline. Data with a skewed distribution were transformed to normality so that missing data could be imputed, then transcribed back to the skewed distribution of the original data. Missing results were imputed using Imputation by Chained Equations in Stata,29 which used an iterative procedure to allow for multiple missing values. The imputed datasets were analysed separately, and then the separate estimates were combined according to Rubin's rules.30
Telephone interviews
As an additional process evaluation, participants were contacted by telephone in August 2010, several months after participating in the trial, and asked whether they could remember receiving the booklet and whether it had changed what they thought about their osteoarthritis and about physical activity or exercise.
RESULTS
Four practices were recruited between July 2008 and August 2009 after sending letters of invitation to 16 practices. Between January and March 2009, 460 letters were sent to potential participants; 145 (32%) consented to take part and were sent baseline questionnaires, of which 119 (89%) were returned (Figure 1). The numbers eligible to participate varied between the four practices. Practices one, two, and three identified 1.5-1.8% of their practice population in a search of diagnostic codes in their computerised patient record database, whereas practice four identified 6.7%. From some of the written comments on the forms of patients who declined to participate, there was evidence of inappropriate diagnostic labelling in patients from practice four The recruitment rate varied from 24% of invited patients in practice two to 33% in practices three and four. The follow-up questionnaire response rate was 90% at 1 month and 89% at 3 months. Individual scale response rates were sometimes lower due to missing items, or, specifically in the IPAQ, if the box marked ‘Don't know’ was ticked.
Baseline results
Demographic factors and variables such as age, sex, employment status, educational attainment, and ethnicity were similar between the two groups at baseline, as was the duration of symptoms and the joints affected (Table 1). Data from 32 IPAQ and one HKBQ questionnaire were missing at baseline and had to be imputed. The mean values of all baseline outcome measures were similar, apart from IPAQ. There was an imbalance in this outcome, with the control group more active than the intervention group, but also with large interquartile ranges.
Outcomes at 1 and 3 months
Data from the following numbers of questionnaires were missing at follow-up and had to be imputed: 1 month 35 IPAQ, 13 TSK, 15 HKBQ, 13 EAQ-18; 3 months 50 IPAQ, 16 TSK, 17 HKBQ, 16 EAQ-18. All outcome measures had some missing data at all three time points. Missing values were imputed using multiple regression with variables at all three time points, with sex, age, and duration as auxiliary variables. The final ANCOVA regression estimates reflected the difference in mean change scores after 1 and 3 months using the control as a reference group. There were small improvements in all outcome measures at both follow-up points. There were relative improvements in favour of The Hip & Knee Book in all outcome measures at both time points (Tables 2 and 3). Standardised differences of mean change score were of the order of 0.1 or 0.2 (Table 3).
Resource data were available for 103 participants and demonstrated the feasibility of including an economic evaluation in a future definitive RCT. Resource use was similar for both groups in terms of primary care consultations, secondary care outpatient visits, and accident and emergency department attendances. Inpatient days were greater in the control group, but none of these admissions were directly related to osteoarthritis (Table 4).
To explore the influence of symptom duration, a subgroup analysis was performed comparing shorter and longer duration of symptoms either side of the median duration of 6 years.
There was no significant difference between the groups (n = 59) and no consistent trend across the different outcomes and follow-up intervals.
Written comments
Participants made additional written comments on 45 of the 1-month and 43 of the three-month questionnaires. Most of these gave extra information concerning: comorbid conditions, social circumstances, investigations, and treatment, or explained their symptoms in more detail. Two participants made comments about The Hip & Knee Book at 1 month, and five at 3 months. Most of these comments were positive, stating that the booklet had encouraged them to exercise. One stated that the booklet was unhelpful compared to medical and surgical treatments, and one participant felt that there should be greater emphasis on weight loss. No comments about any harm or other unintended effects were disclosed. There were two neutral comments about the control booklet.
Telephone interviews
Several months after completing the trial, it was possible to contact 92 participants (77%) by telephone, 43 (73%) in The Hip & Knee Book group, and 49 (82%) in the control group. In The Hip & Knee Book group, 13 (30%) had not read or could not remember reading the booklet; 20 (47%) had not increased their physical activity levels, 10 (23%) of whom were already physically active; and 10 (23%) reported that they had increased their level of physical activity after reading The Hip & Knee Book. In the control group, 11 (22%) had not read or could not remember reading the booklet; 31 (63%) had not increased their physical activity levels, 13 (27%) of whom were already physically active; and 7 (14%) reported that they had increased their level of physical activity after reading the control booklet.
DISCUSSION
Summary
The trial methods were feasible in terms of recruitment, randomisation, and follow-up. The small relative improvement in illness, exercise and fear-avoidance beliefs, and physical activity level provided proof of principle for using these outcomes in future trials testing the effectiveness of The Hip & Knee Book.
Strengths and limitations
The intervention booklet was an evidence-based booklet underpinned by a psychological theory of self-regulation concerning illness and treatment beliefs. The control booklet was a respected booklet produced by the ARUK.23 Although physical activity was not stressed, it was mentioned, and might have had a larger effect on outcomes than usual primary care without any booklet. The booklets were delivered by post to the participants and may have had a smaller effect than if given by their GP as part of a consultation about osteoarthritis. The intervention booklet was an evidence-based booklet underpinned by a psychological theory of self-regulation concerning illness and treatment beliefs. There were missing data at follow-up; 11-14% of most outcomes were missing, increasing to 29% of IPAQ at 1 month and 42% at 3 months. This is a possible source of bias, which the study attempted to minimise by imputing missing values.
There are other causes of hip and knee pain apart from osteoarthritis, and the diagnostic code search strategy used for identifying suitable participants was not specific for osteoarthritis and resulted in a variation in recruitment rate between practices, with evidence of inappropriate diagnostic labelling in one practice. Identifying patients with early-stage osteoarthritis of the hip or knee from primary care records is problematic, as people often spend years with joint pain as the diagnostic code before finally getting an osteoarthritis code. A change to inclusion criteria would be beneficial fora future RCT, either an additional check of eligibility prior to trial inclusion, or broadening the criteria to include all patients over 50 years of age with hip or knee pain.
The symptom duration in the participants varied, with a median of 6 years and an interquartile range of 2 to 11 years, which may have diluted the effect of the advice. A subgroup analysis found no consistent or significant effect of symptom duration either side of the median duration; however, very few participants were newly diagnosed. It seems logical to presume that the benefits of increasing activity would have more profound effects in people with a new diagnosis than those with longstanding disease and entrenched behaviours.
Comparison with existing literature
The authors are not aware of any other RCTs evaluating an advice booklet for osteoarthritis. Most of the research on education and self-management for people with osteoarthritis concerns self-management interventions (SMIs), which are problem-focused, action-oriented, patient-generated care plans,31 and are more complex and costly than booklets.32,33 Indeed many RCTs of SMIs have used information booklets as the control intervention, and found some evidence that they are less effective than SMIs, but the nature of the control booklets was very different from the present booklet, which was firmly focused on fostering positive beliefs and attitudes about what to do in the face of osteoarthritis.
In the field of back pain research, a similar booklet The back book (Roland M et al, The Stationery Office, 1996) has been shown, in two RCTs, to improve fear-avoidance beliefs and back pain-related health status.34,35 In these trials, which had positive results, the booklets were given to patients during a consultation or following an educational talk related to the presenting symptoms, whereas in the present trial the booklet was sent by post and most recipients had established symptoms. It may be that demedicalising back pain is easier because osteoarthritis of the hip or knee is perceived as a disease requiring medical intervention, and when all else fails arthroplasty is available as an acceptable treatment. However, the results of focus groups held during the development of The Hip & Knee Book showed that it was well received and conveyed its intended messages concerning beliefs.18
Implications for practice and research
The methods fordelivering a future phase III trial were feasible in terms of the procedures for delivering the intervention and the likely rates of recruitment and retention of participants. A change of inclusion criteria would be beneficial, either an additional check of eligibility, or broadening the criteria to include all patients aged over 50 years, with hip or knee pain. An alternative measure of physical activity would increase response rates for this outcome.
Distributing The Hip & Knee Book in this untargeted mannerto primary care patients with a diagnostic label of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee is an acceptable, inexpensive, and straightforward intervention that has the potential to change beliefs and encourage some people to become more physically active. As such, it is similarto othersimple primary care health-promotion interventions such as smoking cessation. A future definitive RCT using the same methods would need to be much larger (n = 700) to test the small effects found in this pilot RCT with sufficient power Targeting the booklet on the newly diagnosed and the physically inactive during a consultation, and using usual care without a booklet as the control, might increase its effectiveness. Only about a quarter of those that received The Hip & Knee Book increased their physical activity; a telephone reminder or a follow-up booklet might increase the proportion that change their behaviour However, any of these changes would require a more complex distribution strategy, would cost more in terms of administration and consultation time, and would require further pilot testing.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank all of the patients who participated in the trial; the National Institute forSocial Care and Health Research (NISCHR) Clinical Research Centre North Wales research network; Rachel Gray who conducted the telephone interviews; Glynne Andrew, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board; colleagues from the Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University for their comments and suggestions; and the South East Wales Trials Unit (SEWTU), which is funded by NISCHR.
Notes
Funding
Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care now called National Institute forSocial Care and Health Research (grant number ReF06/2/234).
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN24554946.
Ethical approval
Ethical approval was obtained from the North Wales East Research Ethics Committee (REC reference 09/WNo03/5).
Provenance
Freely submitted; externally peer reviewed.
Competing interests
Many of the authors previously developed and wrote The Hip & Knee Book: Helping you cope with osteoarthritis, which has been published by The Stationery Office.
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- Received January 11, 2011.
- Revision received March 10, 2011.
- Accepted March 28, 2011.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2011