Telehealth Exercise and Diet Programs Curb Pain and Boost Function in Knee Osteoarthritis
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In patients with knee osteoarthritis, telehealth-delivered exercise and diet programs are superior to electronic health information for reducing pain and improving function, although the contribution of diet is modest, a randomized trial shows.
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@timir Australian private health insurance members with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and a body mass index between 28 and 40 kg/m2 participated. A total of 379 provided six-month outcomes and 372, 12-month outcomes. The mean age was 65, and about half of the participants in the intervention groups were women (67% in the control group). The exercise program included six videoconferencing consultations with a physical therapist for exercise, self-management advice, and behavioral counseling, plus equipment and resources. The diet and exercise program included an additional six dietitian consultations for a ketogenic very-low-calorie diet followed by a transition to healthy eating, as well as nutrition and behavioral resources.