Exploring Ways to Improve Knee Osteoarthritis Care: The Role of Mobile Apps in Enhancing Therapeutic Exercise-a Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Digit Health

Specialty Medical Informatics

Date 2024 Dec 23

PMID 39711751

Authors

Teresa Paolucci

Letizia Pezzi

Federica Bressi

Raffaele La Russa

Bruno Beomonte Zobel

Gianluca Bertoni

Giacomo Fari

Andrea Bernetti

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA), particularly knee OA, is a leading cause of disability and poses significant challenges in healthcare management. Mobile applications (apps) have emerged as potential tools to support therapeutic exercise by providing tailored programs, instructional content, and progress tracking. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of mobile apps in enhancing therapeutic exercise for knee OA management.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted, analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the impact of mobile apps on pain and knee function in patients with OA. The review followed the Cochrane Handbook guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. Inclusion criteria focused on RCTs involving adults aged 40 and above with knee OA, and outcomes were measured based on pain intensity and knee function.

Results: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The results varied: while some studies demonstrated minor improvements in pain and function with app-based interventions, others showed comparable effectiveness to traditional methods. The review highlights the potential of mobile apps to offer benefits in managing knee OA, though outcomes were inconsistent due to intervention and population heterogeneity.

Conclusion: Despite the low certainty of evidence, mobile app-based interventions appear to have a positive impact on reducing pain and improving physical function in patients with knee OA. Continued research is essential to better understand the effectiveness and long-term impact of mobile technology in OA management, underscoring the value of digital health interventions in enhancing patient care.

Citing Articles

Musculoskeletal Diseases: Aetiology, Clinical Implications, Rehabilitation and Treatment.

Fari G, Bernetti A J Pers Med. 2025; 15(1.

PMID: 39852227 PMC: 11766573. DOI: 10.3390/jpm15010035.

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