Functional outcome in hip OA better with cycling plus education vs physiotherapy care

For individuals with hip osteoarthritis (OA), a group-based cycling and education programme (CHAIN) yields greater improvements in function compared with usual physiotherapy care, as shown in a study from the UK.

The study included 221 adult hip OA patients (mean age 64.4 years, 57 percent female, 98 percent White) experiencing activity-related joint pain, either no morning stiffness or morning stiffness lasting no longer than 30 min. These participants were randomly assigned to either the CHAIN intervention (n=110) or usual physiotherapy care (n=111).

Participants in the CHAIN intervention group attended an 8-week group programme that involved education and static cycling. On the other hand, those in the physiotherapy group had the usual one-to-one care with a physiotherapist at the local hospital or by telephone.

The difference in Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) activities of daily living subscale at 10 weeks post-treatment (visit 4) between the CHAIN and physiotherapy groups was the primary outcome. Safety and adverse events were also assessed.

At week 10, the mean HOOS activities of daily living subscale scores increased from 60.8 at baseline to 73.5 in the CHAIN group and from 59.3 to 65.4 in the physiotherapy group. However, the adjusted mean difference of 6.9 (95 percent confidence interval, 2.5–11.2) between the two groups, while significant (p=0.0023), did not meet the predefined minimum clinically important difference of 7.4.

None of the participants experienced treatment-related serious adverse events.