Peer Reviewed Evidence Based Research ArticleTitle of Article

Implementation of a group physical therapy program for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis

AMA citation

Allen KD, Sheets B, Bongiorni D, et al. Implementation of a group physical therapy program for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2020;21(1):1-9.doi:10.1186/s12891-020-3079-x. Retrieved from: http://0-search.ebscohost.com.catalog.library.uarts.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=141530190&site=eds-live&scope=siteArticle Content

Physical therapy is a key component of treatment for knee osteoarthritis that results in particular benefits for addressing deficits in health, flexibility, function and gait. Physical therapists play a crucial role in providing instructions in an appropriate home exercise program which is as well essential in the management of osteoarthritis. The article is based on previous research on group physical therapy program for knee osteoarthritis. The research yielded the results of an improvement in pain and function compared to traditional individual physical therapy, resulting in the group physical therapy program was implemented in a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the implementation metrics and changes in patient-level measures that resulted from the implementation of the group physical therapy program. The group physical therapy involved a six weeks sessions and the implementation metrics included numbers of referrals and completed sessions. The results of the study include; 152 patients were referred, 80 had an initial session scheduled, 71 completed at least one session, and 49 completed at least five sessions. According to the findings of the study, patients completing the group physical therapy program in the implementation phase showed clinically relevant improvements comparable to those observed in the previous clinical trials that compared group physical therapy and individual physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

The results of the study are significant because the group physical therapy can help improve the efficiency and access compared with the individual physical therapy. However, there were some limitations concerning the attendance and completion rates, and the program adaptations may be required to optimize the implementation metrics. Group therapies have a great impact on the clinical practice due to its ability to improve efficiency and access, and this increase the healing ability of the individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis.