TITLE:
The Effectiveness of a Multimedia Messaging Service Reminder System in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Gali Dar, Yaron Marx, Emma Ioffe, Einat Kodesh
KEYWORDS:
Osteoarthritis, Multimedia, Physical therapy, Rehabilitation, Exercises
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.5 No.9,
April
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Patient
compliance to home exercise programs is significantly linked to improved
treatment outcomes. Finding ways of encouraging patient conformity to these
programs is imperative. For patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a
condition that causes pain, disability and lessens the quality of life,
exercise is essential for effective control of the condition. Aim: to investigate
the effectiveness of multimedia messaging services (MMS) in improving patient
adherence and functional outcome to home based exercise programs for patients
suffering from knee OA. Methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with knee OA and
were referred to an exercise group therapy (for a total of six sessions)
participated in this pilot study. The patients were randomly assigned to either
the research or control group. The research group received MMS messages additional
to the exercise sessions (video of exercises up to 10 seconds in length) to
their mobile phone. Outcome measurement included the Western Ontario and
McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, combined Focus On
Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS),
Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and a general questionnaire.
Results: The research group had baseline scores representing slightly higher
disability, pain and fear avoidance than the control group as observed by the
lower FOTO score and the higher FABQ, VAS and WOMAC scores. Analyzing the
difference between initial and final scores revealed that the research group
had a slightly higher perceived functional improvement. Conclusions: This study
addressed the feasibility of short video messaging via mobile phones in increasing
compliance to home exercise programs prescribed to patients suffering from knee
OA. This pilot study provides an indication for the potential of success and a
larger sample study should be conducted.