Digital Behaviour Change Interventions for Osteoarthritis - A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Digital Behaviour Change Interventions for Osteoarthritis - A Systematic Literature Review Alice Berry1*, Nicola Walsh1, Sarah Muir2 and Candy McCabe1, 3 1 University of the West of England, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, United Kingdom 2 Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology, United Kingdom 3 Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, United Kingdom Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 8.75 million people in the UK; physical activity (PA) and exercise are recommended as core treatments irrespective of disease severity (1), yet around 44% of people with OA report doing no PA to help manage their symptoms (2). Limited resources and increasing demand means access to face-to-face healthcare interventions is limited (3). Internet delivered PA interventions could provide cost-effective and accessible information, as well as opportunities for interactive, tailored approaches. Integration of behavioural change techniques (BCTs) based on theoretical constructs could facilitate long-term PA engagement (4). Aim: To determine the effectiveness of digital interventions for promoting PA in people with OA. Objectives: • To determine whether engagement with PA is changed with a digital intervention • To identify outcome measures used to measure PA • To examine which BCTs and theories are used to facilitate engagement with PA • To examine how uptake and usage of digital interventions has been reported Methods: A pre-defined search was carried out using databases including: AMED, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, Psycinfo, Pubmed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science. Articles were included if: they reported PA data; included people with OA; and if the intervention was accessed via a digital platform. Results: The database searches generated 2132 published papers. After applying selection criteria, eight studies were included in the final review. 5 out of the 8 included studies showed a statistically significant increase in self-reported levels of PA for up to 12 months. A number of outcome measures were used but were predominantly self-reported. BCTs used included: goal setting, action planning, problem solving, feedback, shaping knowledge, self-talk, and self-monitoring. Most studies (n=6) were based on social cognitive theory. A variety of methods were employed to report uptake and usage of digital interventions, making it difficult for comparisons to be made. Discussion and Conclusions: There is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of internet based interventions to increase PA in OA. Most studies rely on self-report to determine change in levels of PA; objective measurement may be beneficial. Interventions were generally based on Social Cognitive Theory; other constructs may increase effectiveness. Clearer reporting of BCTs and intervention usage is needed. References