Osteoarthritis year in review 2025: Epidemiology and Therapy.

Aim: To summarise key epidemiological and therapeutic research on osteoarthritis (OA) published between April 2024 and March 2025.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted using the MEDLINE database, focusing on English-language studies involving human participants published between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Eligible studies included observational longitudinal studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and phase II-IV randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining OA treatment and epidemiology.

Lessons learned: Clinicians' perspectives, knowledge and attitudes towards a stroke-integrated cardiac rehabilitation programme.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes of multidisciplinary clinicians within a healthcare organisation completing a stroke-integrated cardiac rehabilitation research programme in addition to usual care neurorehabilitation.DesignA qualitative study based on a phenomenological approach.SettingOne-on-one, semi-structured, qualitative interview completed either face-to-face or over the telephone.

Research priorities for physical activity and exercise management of people with knee and hip osteoarthritis: A multi-stage international priority-setting study from the OARSI Rehabilitation Discussion Group.

Objective: To identify research priorities for physical activity and exercise management of knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: We used a multi-stage process involving an international multi-disciplinary panel of 276 experts (150 consumers, 69 clinicians spanning 5 disciplines, 54 researchers, and 3 funder/consumer organisation representatives) from 26 countries. The process included: 1) compiling a list of unanswered research questions from existing research; 2) assembling the panel and generating additional questions from members via an online survey; 3) consolidating research questions (eg.

Recent highlights and uncertainties in exercise management of knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: This narrative review outlines recent research highlights and uncertainties in the exercise management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) published between January 2020 and February 2025.

Methods: To identify studies for inclusion, these electronic databases were searched: Medline, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Central Trial Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Search results were screened and article selection was discussed among the entire research team.

Change in willingness for surgery and risk of joint replacement after an education and exercise program for hip/knee osteoarthritis: A longitudinal cohort study of 55,059 people.

Background: Numerous studies report that education and exercise interventions can shift people's willingness to undergo joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis. We aimed to investigate whether becoming unwilling to undergo surgery following an education and exercise intervention for hip and knee osteoarthritis is associated with lower probability of receiving actual surgery.

Methods And Findings: This was a register-based cohort study including people from the Swedish Osteoarthritis Register who underwent a 3-month education and exercise intervention for knee or hip osteoarthritis.

Association Between Prescribed Dosage of Resistance Exercise and Change in Pain and Physical Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review With Meta-Regression.

Objective: To assess whether there is an association between total prescribed dosage of resistance exercise (volume, frequency, intensity, and duration) and change in pain and physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Method: A systematic review with meta-regression was conducted, searching MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until December 11, 2024. We included randomised controlled trials that compared resistance exercise for knee OA with non-exercise interventions.

How Do Individuals Perceive Diagnostic Labels and Explanations for Hip Pain? A Qualitative Study Among Adults With Persistent Hip Pain.

Background: Depending on how clinicians label and explain hip pain, patients may form different beliefs about hip pain and its management. When clinicians describe hip pain as a problem of passive "wear and tear," patients may be more likely to believe that surgery is needed to "fix" hip pain than if it were explained as a dynamic, whole-joint condition or as a biopsychosocial problem. A qualitative study could inform health professionals on how to provide information about hip pain that meets patients' expectations for information while also guiding them to use recommended nonsurgical care.

Effects of X-ray-based diagnosis and explanation of knee osteoarthritis on patient beliefs about osteoarthritis management: A randomised clinical trial.

Background: Although X-rays are not recommended for routine diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), clinicians and patients often use or expect X-rays. We evaluated whether: (i) a radiographic diagnosis and explanation of knee OA influences patient beliefs about management, compared to a clinical diagnosis and explanation that does not involve X-rays; and (ii) showing the patient their X-ray images when explaining radiographic report findings influences beliefs, compared to not showing X-ray images.

Methods And Findings: This was a 3-arm randomised controlled trial conducted between May 23, 2024 and May 28, 2024 as a single exposure (no follow-up) online survey.

Relationship Between Number of Different Lower-Limb Resistance Exercises Prescribed in a Program and Exercise Outcomes in People With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review With Meta-Regression.

Objective: We determine whether there is a relationship between the number of different lower-limb resistance exercises prescribed in a program and outcomes for people with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: We used a systematic review with meta-regression. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase up to January 4, 2024.

Understanding Negative and Positive Feelings About Telerehabilitation in People With Chronic Knee Pain: A Mixed-Methods Study.

To explore (1) initial feelings of people with knee osteoarthritis who are unexpectedly offered telerehabilitation, and (2) if their experiences met their expectations, and their willingness to use telerehabilitation in the future. Mixed-methods study of 122 people with knee osteoarthritis who were randomized to receive physiotherapist-delivered telerehabilitation in a clinical trial. At enrollment in the trial, participants were unaware care would be delivered via telerehabilitation.

Osteoarthritis Year In Review 2024: Rehabilitation and outcomes.

This Year in Review presents key highlights from recent research relating to osteoarthritis rehabilitation and its outcomes, defined as any non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatment that aims to improve osteoarthritis symptoms at any joint. Three databases (Medline, Embase, and CINAHL Plus) were searched between 1 March 2023 to 12 March 2024. Relevant studies were chosen based on the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, perceived clinical importance, quality, controversy in the field, or personal interest, and organised into four overarching themes (with 1-5 sub-themes each).

Exploring Experiences of People With Knee Osteoarthritis Who Received a Physiotherapist-Delivered Dietary Weight Loss and Exercise Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study.

Objective: Explore the experiences of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who received a very low energy diet (VLED) and exercise program from a physiotherapist.

Methods: Mixed methods study involving questionnaires (n = 42) and semistructured interviews (n = 22) with randomized control trial participants with knee OA who had received a 6-month physiotherapist-delivered VLED weight loss and exercise intervention. Questionnaires measured participant satisfaction and perceptions about physiotherapist's skills/knowledge in delivery of the dietary intervention (measured on 5-7 point Likert scales).

The time is now: Telehealth education and training in physical therapy.

• Telehealth delivered physical therapy is effective and provides equivalent outcomes to in-person care. • Lack of telehealth knowledge is a significant barrier for implementation into clinical practice. • Physical therapy educators recognise the importance of telehealth education for emerging physical therapists.

Physiotherapy students' attitudes toward the use of telehealth in clinical practice: A cross-sectional survey.

Background And Aims: Provision of physiotherapy services using telehealth has drastically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be utilized in clinical practice suggesting telehealth in physiotherapy will become common practice. Prior research has explored the attitudes of physiotherapists with many years of in-person clinical experience toward telehealth. However, little is known about the emerging workforce's attitudes.

Lessons learnt from a nationally funded training and mentoring programme for early-mid career musculoskeletal researchers in Australia.

Introduction: Quality training and mentoring are crucial components of successful career development for early mid career researchers (EMCRs). This paper describes the overarching framework of novel ongoing national Training and Mentoring Programme Melbourne University Sydney Queensland:Impact (MUSQ:Impact) for musculoskeletal researchers, including a description of how it was set up and established, and lessons learned from its implementation.

Results: The MUSQ:Impact programme spans four multidisciplinary musculoskeletal research teams across three universities in Australia, comprising 40-60 EMCR members.

Effects of Hip Pain Diagnostic Labels and Their Explanations on Beliefs About Hip Pain and How to Manage It: An Online Randomized Controlled Trial.

To compare the effects of diagnostic labels and their explanations on people's beliefs about managing hip pain. Online randomized controlled trial involving 626 participants. Participants aged ≥45 years with and without hip pain considered a hypothetical scenario (initial doctor consultation for hip pain).

'I saw it as a marriage-You can't have one without the other': A qualitative study of patient and physiotherapist experiences with a therapeutic combined strength and aerobic physical activity exercise programme for hip osteoarthritis.

Introduction: To explore physiotherapist and patient experiences with, and acceptability of, a 12-week physiotherapist-guided combined strength and aerobic physical activity exercise programme for hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 13 people with hip OA and four physiotherapists. Patients underwent a 12-week home exercise programme customised by weekly visits with one of the four physiotherapists.

Development of a consumer involvement strategy for a small university-based musculoskeletal research centre.

Objective: To develop a Consumer Involvement Strategy which adheres to best practice recommendations and is feasible to implement in a small musculoskeletal research centre funded solely by external grants.

Methods: The Strategy development involved five collaborative and iterative stages: (1) conceptualisation and initial consultation; (2) formation of the Consumer Involvement Strategy Action Group; (3) defining the scope and developing the strategy; (4) consultation and refinement; and (5) presentation and implementation. The final three stages were overseen by a Consumer Involvement Strategy Action Group comprising two post-doctoral research fellows, a PhD student representative, and two consumers (people with osteoarthritis), all with experience in consumer involvement activities in research.

Virtual Tools to Enable Management of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Purpose Of Review: There is increasing recognition that virtual tools, enabled by the internet and telecommunications technology, can increase access to health care. We review evidence about the clinical effectiveness and acceptability of telephone-delivered and videoconferencing clinician consultations, websites and internet-delivered programs, and SMS and mobile applications in enabling the management of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We discuss barriers to using virtual tools and suggest strategies to facilitate implementation in clinical settings.

How Does Exercise, With and Without Diet, Improve Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Exploring Potential Mediators of Effects.

Objective: To explore the mediators of effects of two 6-month telehealth-delivered exercise programs, including exercise with and without weight-loss diet, on pain and function improvements in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Secondary analysis of 345 participants from a 3-arm randomized controlled trial of exercise (Exercise program) and exercise plus diet (Diet + Exercise program) versus information (Control program) was conducted. Outcomes were changes in pain (11-point numeric rating scale) and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [score range 0-68]) at 12 months.

A rapid review of challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion as experienced by early and mid-career academics in the medicine, dentistry and health sciences fields.

Background: Early- and mid-career academics in medicine, dentistry and health sciences are integral to research, education and advancement of clinical professions, yet experience significant illbeing, high attrition and limited advancement opportunities.

Objectives: Identify and synthesise published research investigating challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion, as experienced by early and mid-career academics employed in medicine, dentistry and health sciences disciplines.

Design: Rapid review.