About the Author(s)


Bashir Bello Email symbol
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Lifestyle Disease Research Entity, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa

Fatima Y. Aliyu symbol
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Bashir Kaka symbol
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Ushotanefe Useh symbol
Lifestyle Disease Research Entity, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa

Citation


Bello, B., Aliyu, F.Y., Kaka, B. & Useh, U., 2026, ‘Exploration of lifestyle interventions for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review’, South African Journal of Physiotherapy 82(1), a2370. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v82i1.2370

Note: Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article as Online Appendix 1.

Review Article

Exploration of lifestyle interventions for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review

Bashir Bello, Fatima Y. Aliyu, Bashir Kaka, Ushotanefe Useh

Received: 16 Feb. 2026; Accepted: 11 May 2026; Published: 09 June 2026

Copyright: © 2026. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a primary global cause of disability, with lifestyle interventions such as exercise and weight management serving as key conservative strategies. However, the diversity of these interventions and their assessment measures lack synthesis.

Objectives: Our scoping review explored the range, characteristics and outcomes of lifestyle interventions for knee OA and identified the outcome measures used for assessment.

Method: Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines and the Arksey and O’Malley framework, data were extracted from 36 studies, including 29 randomised controlled trials, two cohorts, three quasi-experimental studies, one qualitative study and one feasibility trial.

Results: Across 4025 participants, interventions included physiotherapist-guided exercise, multicomponent programmes, digital eHealth platforms, aquatic training and dietary changes. While findings consistently showed improved physical function, reduced pain and enhanced quality of life, no single outcome measure was universally applied across all identified studies. Key barriers included low motivation, technical literacy and resource intensity.

Conclusion: Lifestyle interventions are diverse and effective for improving clinical outcomes in knee OA. The absence of a standardised outcome measure highlights significant heterogeneity in how intervention efficacy is captured in research.

Clinical Implications: These findings highlight the need for standardised, clinically meaningful outcome measures to improve comparability across studies and strengthen evidence synthesis. Greater consistency in how lifestyle interventions are evaluated will support translation into clinical practice and inform the design of future multicomponent programmes for individuals with knee OA.

Keywords: knee osteoarthritis; lifestyle intervention; exercise therapy; nutrition; scoping review; outcome measures; multimodal intervention.

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis worldwide, characterised by the progressive degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness and functional limitations (Hunter & Bierma-Zeinstra 2019). The prevalence of OA has been increasing in tandem with global trends in ageing populations and rising obesity rates (Safiri et al. 2020). Estimates suggest that approximately 528 million people were living with OA in 2019, an increase of 113% since 1990, making it a leading cause of disability globally (Vos et al. 2020). The burden of OA is not confined to individual suffering but extends to high societal costs, including increased healthcare utilisation and productivity losses (Cross et al. 2014). Historically, the management of OA has focused heavily on pharmacological interventions, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular corticosteroid injections, as well as surgical options like joint replacement in advanced cases (Bannuru et al. 2019). While these treatments can offer symptom relief, they do not address the underlying risk factors driving disease progression, nor do they come without side effects and complications (Fernandes et al. 2013). Consequently, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of non-pharmacological approaches, particularly lifestyle interventions, in managing OA holistically and sustainably.

Lifestyle interventions encompass a range of strategies aimed at modifying daily habits and behaviours to improve health outcomes. For individuals with OA, these interventions may include physical activity programmes, weight management, dietary modifications, self-management education and psychological support (Hawker 2019).

Clinical guidelines from major organisations, including the Osteoarthritis Research Society International and the American College of Rheumatology, strongly recommend that core treatments for OA should prioritise patient education and structured exercise alongside weight loss when appropriate (Bannuru et al. 2019). Physical activity, particularly aerobic and strengthening exercises, is consistently identified as a cornerstone of OA management (Fransen et al. 2015). Evidence indicates that exercise reduces pain, improves function and may even delay structural progression (Uthman et al. 2013). Yet, despite its well-established benefits, adherence to exercise regimens among individuals with OA remains suboptimal due to factors such as pain, fear of exacerbating symptoms, a lack of motivation and limited access to tailored programmes (Giardulli et al. 2025).

Weight management is another critical component, especially for individuals with knee and hip OA. Excess body weight increases joint loading, exacerbates pain and accelerates cartilage degeneration (Bliddal, Leeds & Christensen 2014).

Studies have shown that a modest weight reduction of 5% – 10% can significantly decrease pain and improve physical function in overweight or obese individuals with OA (Messier et al. 2013). However, sustainable weight loss requires long-term lifestyle changes, combining dietary modifications with physical activity and behavioural strategies (Christensen et al. 2007). Dietary interventions themselves are gaining attention, not only for their role in weight management but also for their potential anti-inflammatory effects (Méndez & Medina 2021). Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and polyphenols have shown promise in reducing OA-related inflammation and pain (Sanghi et al. 2009). However, the evidence base remains fragmented, and more rigorous studies are needed to establish specific dietary recommendations for OA patients. Beyond physical and nutritional aspects, psychological and social factors play a significant role in the lived experience of OA. Chronic pain and disability can lead to depression, anxiety and social isolation, which in turn may hinder engagement in beneficial lifestyle behaviours (Stubbs et al. 2016). Therefore, cognitive behavioural therapy, pain coping skills training and peer support groups are increasingly integrated into comprehensive OA management to address psychosocial barriers and promote self-efficacy (Somers et al. 2012).

Recent developments in knee OA management have emphasised the importance of delivering lifestyle interventions in real-world, patient-centred contexts. Approaches such as shared decision-making and tailoring interventions to individual values, preferences and readiness for change have led to increasingly diverse and adaptive programme designs (Hunter & Bierma-Zeinstra 2019). In parallel, the growing use of digital health strategies, including telerehabilitation and mobile health applications, has further expanded the modes of delivery and accessibility of these interventions (Hinman et al. 2020). While these advances are promising, they contribute to considerable variation in how lifestyle interventions are conceptualised, implemented and evaluated. This heterogeneity underscores the need for a comprehensive synthesis of the range, characteristics and outcome measures of lifestyle interventions for individuals with knee OA, which our scoping review aims to address.

Despite the abundance of individual studies and systematic reviews examining various lifestyle strategies for OA, a comprehensive mapping of the evidence remains necessary to identify gaps and guide future research, policy and practice for knee OA. Scoping reviews offer an effective methodological approach to collate and synthesise heterogeneous evidence, especially when the topic is complex and has not been comprehensively reviewed before (Peters et al. 2020). By systematically exploring the range and nature of lifestyle interventions for individuals with OA, our review aimed to examine the characteristics and components of lifestyle interventions for knee OA and to identify the specific outcome measures used to evaluate their efficacy.

Research methods and design

Study design

Our study employed a scoping review methodology guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and enhanced by the Joanna Briggs Institute (Peters et al. 2020). A scoping review was chosen to comprehensively map the breadth and depth of evidence on lifestyle interventions for individuals with OA, identify research gaps and inform future studies and clinical practice.

Research questions

Our review was guided by the following research questions: (1) What types of lifestyle interventions have been used for individuals with OA?; (2) What are the characteristics, components and delivery modes of these interventions?; (3) Which outcome measures are most frequently used to evaluate the intervention efficacy? and (4) What gaps exist in the current evidence base?

Eligibility criteria

The inclusion criteria for selecting studies were defined using the population, concept and context framework:

  • Population: Adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with knee OA.
  • Concept: Lifestyle interventions, including but not limited to exercise programmes, physical activity, weight management, dietary modifications, psychological interventions, self-management education and digital health solutions related to lifestyle behaviour change.
  • Context: All healthcare and community settings. There were no restrictions on geographical location or the healthcare system.

Types of sources: Both quantitative (e.g. randomised controlled trials [RCTs], cohort studies, cross-sectional studies) and qualitative studies were eligible. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were screened for relevant primary studies. Only articles published in English were included. Conference abstracts, commentaries and editorial pieces were excluded unless they presented original empirical data.

Information sources and search strategy

A comprehensive search strategy was developed in collaboration with an experienced health sciences librarian.

The following electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2025: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) (via PubMed), Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus and Cochrane Library.

The search combined keywords and Medical Subject headings (MeSH) terms related to OA (e.g. ‘osteoarthritis’, ‘OA’), lifestyle interventions (e.g. ‘exercise’, ‘physical activity’, ‘weight loss’, ‘diet’, ‘self-management’) and relevant synonyms. Boolean operators (‘AND’, ‘OR’) were used to maximise sensitivity. The full search strategies for the databases are provided in Online Appendix 1. In addition, the reference lists of included articles and relevant systematic reviews were hand-searched to identify additional studies not captured in the database search.

Study selection

All identified records were imported into EndNote for reference management and then uploaded to Covidence for screening. Duplicates were removed automatically and verified manually.

Title and abstract screening were conducted independently by two reviewers. Studies deemed potentially relevant underwent full-text screening, which was conducted independently by two reviewers. All screening decisions were made in agreement, without the need for adjudication by a third reviewer. The selection process is reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews flow diagram (Tricco et al. 2016). See Figure 1 for full details.

FIGURE 1: Flowchart of the scoping review screening process.

Data extraction

A standardised data extraction form was developed and pilot-tested on a sample of five studies to ensure consistency and comprehensiveness. Extracted data included: author(s), year, country, study design, sample size, participant demographics, interventions (type, duration, frequency, delivery mode, providers involved and setting), outcomes measured (pain, physical function, quality of life, adherence, patient satisfaction and other relevant outcomes), key findings (summary of results related to lifestyle intervention effectiveness or implementation) and conclusions as reported by the authors. Data extraction was conducted by two reviewers (authors Bashir Bello and Fatima Y. Aliyu) and checked for accuracy by a third reviewer (author, Bashir Kaka). Discrepancies were resolved through discussion.

Data analysis and synthesis

The extracted data were collated and synthesised descriptively using tables and narrative summaries to map the range and characteristics of lifestyle interventions for OA. Interventions were categorised by type (e.g. exercise, diet, self-management) and delivery mode (e.g. in-person, digital, group-based). Outcomes were grouped thematically, and variations in intervention design and implementation were noted. The synthesis focused on highlighting commonalities, unique approaches and gaps in the evidence, without performing a formal assessment of methodological quality, as is consistent with scoping review methodology (Peters et al. 2020). No patients or members of the public were involved in the design, conduct or reporting of our scoping review.

Ethical considerations

Ethical clearance to conduct our study was obtained from the Bayero University Kano Health Research Ethics Committee (No. NHREC/BUK-HREC/773/10/23II).

Results

A total of 36 studies met the inclusion criteria for our scoping review, representing a diverse array of research designs including RCTs, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, feasibility trials, qualitative studies and narrative reviews. See Table 1 for a full description of the included studies. The included studies were published between 2009 and 2024 and conducted across various geographical regions, including Australia, the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Pakistan and Nigeria. Most studies were RCTs with sample sizes ranging from 20 participants to 232 participants. The diversity of study populations and settings underscores a global effort to investigate lifestyle interventions for managing knee OA.

TABLE 1: Lifestyle intervention studies for managing knee osteoarthritis.
TABLE 1 (Continues…): Lifestyle intervention studies for managing knee osteoarthritis.

The studies examined a wide range of lifestyle interventions, including exercise therapy, dietary modification, psychological strategies, education and combinations of these modalities. Exercise-based interventions were the most prevalent, including resistance training (Taglietti et al. 2018), aquatic exercise (Carmona-Teres et al. 2015), Tai Chi (Sadeghi et al. 2023) and physiotherapist-led home exercise programmes (Hinman et al. 2020). Dietary interventions included structured weight loss programmes, Mediterranean diets and anti-inflammatory nutrition plans aimed at reducing OA-related symptoms (Messier et al. 2013; Rafiq, Abdul Hamid & Hafiz 2021). Psychological strategies were integrated in several studies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (Somers et al. 2012) and mindfulness-based approaches (Harris et al. 2023). Educational components were either standalone or embedded within multicomponent programmes, often delivered through in-person sessions or digital platforms (Lawford et al. 2023; Smith et al. 2023).

Intervention delivery methods varied considerably. Some programmes were conducted face-to-face in clinical or community settings, while others employed telehealth, mobile applications or online portals. For instance, Lawford et al. (2023) examined a telerehabilitation programme integrating physiotherapy with online education, while Holm et al. (2023) utilised a remotely delivered neuromuscular exercise intervention. Home-based and self-managed models were also reported, such as the digital exercise and education programmes evaluated by Bennell et al. (2017a) and De Rooij et al. (2017). Multidisciplinary teams, including physiotherapists, dietitians and psychologists, were commonly involved in delivering these interventions, particularly in trials combining physical and psychosocial support.

One of the objectives of our review was to identify the outcome measures used to assess these lifestyle interventions. Analysis of the data revealed that no single outcome measure was employed universally across all 36 identified studies. Instead, the authors utilised a broad array of validated tools to capture different dimensions of the disease. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was the most frequently utilised tool for assessing pain and physical function. Other common clinical metrics included the Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for functional mobility and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). To measure quality of life and psychosocial impact, studies often employed the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36 or SF-12), the EuroQol-5D and the Pain Catastrophising Scale.

Across the included studies, the majority reported favourable outcomes associated with lifestyle interventions.

Exercise and education programmes consistently improved pain, function and quality of life among individuals with knee OA (Bennell et al. 2022; Taglietti et al. 2018). Multicomponent interventions that combined physical activity with education, psychological support or nutritional counselling yielded greater improvements in outcomes compared to single-modality interventions (Messier et al. 2021; Smith et al. 2023). Furthermore, scalable interventions delivered via telehealth or mobile platforms demonstrated strong potential for accessibility and adherence, especially in contexts where in-person delivery was impractical or resource-limited (Holm et al. 2023; Lawford et al. 2023).

Several studies have also reported barriers to the successful delivery and uptake of interventions. These included limited digital literacy, low motivation or adherence among participants, cultural misalignment of interventions and logistical challenges such as transportation or internet access (Alfieri et al. 2020; Gudbergsen et al. 2021). Conversely, facilitators that enhanced intervention effectiveness included personalised care plans, culturally tailored content, the use of behavioural change techniques and the presence of social or peer support mechanisms (O’Brien et al. 2018; Ojoawo et al. 2024). Studies conducted in low-income and middle-income countries, such as Nigeria and Pakistan, emphasised the importance of culturally relevant and cost-effective programmes to improve feasibility and engagement (Ojoawo et al. 2024; Saleem et al. 2022).

In general, the findings of our scoping review suggest that lifestyle interventions are not only feasible and acceptable but also effective in addressing the multifactorial needs of individuals with knee OA. The results underscore the potential of combining physical, nutritional, psychological and educational components into integrated care pathways to enhance clinical and functional outcomes.

Quality appraisal

To evaluate methodological rigour, we applied established critical appraisal tools tailored to each study design as demonstrated in Table 2. Of the 36 included studies, 29 were RCTs, two were quasi-experimental, three were observational cohort studies, one was a cross-sectional study and one was a qualitative study.

TABLE 2: Quality appraisal of the included studies.

For the RCTs, the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was employed (Sterne et al. 2016). Most RCTs demonstrated low to moderate risk of bias with clear randomisation procedures and pre-specified outcomes (Bennell et al. 2017a; Focht et al. 2022; Smith et al. 2023). However, several trials, particularly those involving exercise programmes, lacked blinding of participants and personnel, a common limitation in behavioural interventions. Moreover, some studies reported high attrition, with over 20% dropout, introducing the risk of bias in outcome reporting (Hinman et al. 2020). Quasi-experimental studies were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for non-randomised designs (Moola et al. 2020). These studies often reported strong pre-test and post-test measures and plausible causal pathways (Østerås et al. 2021). Nonetheless, the absence of control groups and unaccounted confounders were common issues that could weaken internal validity.

The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was applied to cohort and cross-sectional studies (Wells et al. 2000). These studies generally scored well on participant selection and outcome ascertainment, yet many failed to adjust for potential confounding variables or report comparability between groups (Alfieri et al. 2020; Alghadir et al. 2019). The only qualitative study was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Checklist (CASP 2018). While most studies demonstrated credibility and data transparency, a few lacked explicit discussions of author reflexivity or sampling justifications. Across all study designs, recurring limitations included small sample sizes, short intervention durations, a lack of long-term follow-up and minimal exploration of socio-economic or cultural context. Nevertheless, the frequent use of validated tools such as WOMAC, SF-36, and pain rating scales, as well as theory-driven intervention frameworks, enhanced confidence in the reported findings. Future trials would benefit from stronger reporting of implementation fidelity, greater attention to equity and inclusion of diverse populations.

Discussion

Our scoping review revealed the growing body of evidence supporting multimodal lifestyle interventions as effective strategies for managing knee OA. In our review, lifestyle interventions are defined as structured or semi-structured, non-pharmacological strategies aimed at modifying individuals’ daily behaviours to improve health outcomes in knee OA. These interventions typically target modifiable risk factors and functional limitations through approaches such as physical activity and exercise, weight management, dietary modification, patient education, and behavioural or psychological strategies, including self-management training and cognitive behavioural approaches (Bannuru et al. 2019; Hunter & Bierma-Zeinstra 2019). This definition reflects contemporary models of care that emphasise patient-centred and sustainable approaches to managing knee OA.

Our review synthesised findings from 36 studies, involving 4025 participants, spanning diverse settings and populations, revealing that programmes incorporating multiple lifestyle components, such as exercise, weight management, education, psychological support and behaviour change techniques, were more effective in improving pain, physical function and quality of life compared to single-component interventions (Bennell et al. 2020; Hinman et al. 2020; Messier et al. 2022). The results demonstrate that lifestyle management for knee OA has evolved beyond simple exercise prescriptions. While traditional physiotherapy-guided exercise remains a foundational element, there is a significant trend towards incorporating psychological and educational components. Interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based Tai Chi and pain coping skills training were prominent in the literature. This shift aligns with the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain, suggesting that addressing the psychological burden of OA is as critical as addressing physical dysfunction. The synergistic effect of combining structured exercise with dietary advice and self-management education was repeatedly demonstrated across the studies (Chen et al. 2021; Lawford et al. 2018). Interventions that adopted behavioural coaching models or digitally supported platforms were especially effective in enhancing patient engagement and adherence, a critical determinant of long-term outcomes (Smith et al. 2023; Walrabenstein et al. 2022). These findings align with the biopsychosocial framework of chronic disease management, emphasising that sustained improvements in OA symptoms require addressing biological, behavioural and contextual factors (Loeser et al. 2017). A notable finding is the proliferation of digital health interventions, including mobile apps, tele-physiotherapy and web-based platforms. These models appear to offer clinical benefits comparable to in-person care while providing greater flexibility. However, the identification of ‘digital literacy’ and ‘tech usability’ as recurring barriers suggests that while eHealth increases accessibility for some, it may create new barriers for older populations or those with limited technological proficiency. Considering the diversity of intervention models and populations studied, future research should adopt more standardised, yet simple and pragmatic, outcome measures.

Our review highlights tools such as the TUG test, 30-s sit-to-stand test and patient-reported global rating of change as feasible alternatives to comprehensive instruments like WOMAC and KOOS, particularly for large-scale community or digital trials (Alghadir et al. 2019; Kaufman et al. 2022). Additionally, measures of patient activation and self-efficacy (e.g. Patient Activation Measure [PAM]-13) provide valuable insights into behaviour change, which is crucial for lifestyle modification (Lawford et al. 2023). Adherence to lifestyle interventions emerged as a key determinant of effectiveness across the included studies, with several interrelated factors influencing compliance and participant engagement. Motivation was frequently reported as a central barrier, particularly in programmes requiring sustained behavioural change such as exercise adherence, dietary modification or self-management practices (Giardulli et al. 2025). Additional challenges included limited access to facilities or technology, time constraints, low digital literacy in eHealth-based interventions and variability in individual readiness for change (Ojoawo et al. 2024). Conversely, facilitators of adherence included structured, supervised programmes; personalised or tailored interventions; ongoing coaching or professional support; and the incorporation of social or peer support mechanisms. Interventions described as ‘holistic’ in our study typically referred to multicomponent programmes that combined physical (e.g. exercise therapy), behavioural (e.g. education and self-management strategies) and, in some cases, psychosocial or dietary elements. These integrated approaches appeared to enhance engagement by addressing the multifactorial nature of knee OA and supporting sustained behaviour change. Collectively, these findings highlight that beyond intervention content, the design and delivery context play a critical role in influencing adherence and overall outcomes.

A primary objective of our review was to identify the outcome measures used to evaluate lifestyle interventions in individuals with knee OA. The findings demonstrate considerable heterogeneity, with no single outcome measure consistently applied across all included studies. Although the WOMAC remains the most frequently utilised tool for assessing pain, stiffness and physical function, its continued prominence in recent trials highlights its central role in evaluating clinical outcomes (Ali et al. 2025). Similarly, contemporary interventions continue to incorporate broader outcome domains, including health-related quality of life using the SF-36, which has shown significant responsiveness to lifestyle interventions (Chen et al. 2021), and performance-based measures reflecting functional mobility.

This diversity reflects the multidimensional nature of knee OA and the broad targets of lifestyle interventions, which encompass physical, psychological and behavioural components. Recent evidence confirms that exercise, weight management and combined lifestyle programmes improve pain, physical function and overall well-being, although the magnitude of clinical benefit may vary across settings (Huffman et al. 2024; Landry & Bagha 2026). Moreover, emerging models of care continue to integrate physical activity and behavioural strategies as first-line interventions, reinforcing the need to capture multiple outcome domains (Izquierdo, Ramírez-Vélez & Fiatarone Singh 2025). Despite these advances, methodological challenges persist. The variability in outcome selection limits comparability across studies, complicates evidence synthesis and restricts the feasibility of robust meta-analyses. Wu et al. (2022) highlight the ongoing difficulties in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions due to inconsistent measurement approaches and undefined key outcome dimensions in knee OA research. The findings of this systematic review highlighted the need to develop and adopt a Core Outcome Set (COS) tailored to lifestyle interventions for knee OA. Standardisation of outcome measures would enhance comparability, strengthen evidence synthesis and facilitate translation into clinical practice. Importantly, future COS development should incorporate stakeholder perspectives, including patients and clinicians, to ensure that selected outcomes are meaningful, comprehensive and aligned with real-world care priorities.

Strengths and limitations

A major strength of our review lies in its comprehensive scope and methodological rigour, which involved systematic identification, screening and data extraction across diverse databases and study types. The inclusion of various research designs, including RCTs, qualitative studies and quasi-experimental designs, provided a holistic understanding of the intervention landscape. Furthermore, our review captured global perspectives, with studies from both high-income and resource-limited settings, providing a broad understanding of contextual factors. However, several limitations should be acknowledged. Firstly, despite efforts to include diverse sources, most studies were conducted in high-income countries, which may limit generalisability to low-resource settings. Secondly, heterogeneity in intervention components, delivery formats and outcome measures across studies impeded direct comparison and meta-synthesis. Thirdly, many studies reported short-term outcomes, leaving questions about the sustainability of observed benefits. Finally, publication bias cannot be ruled out, as grey literature and non-English studies were excluded, which may have omitted relevant interventions implemented in non-academic contexts.

Conclusion

Lifestyle interventions for knee OA are diverse and generally effective in improving pain, function and quality of life. However, substantial variability in intervention design and outcome measures limits comparability and evidence synthesis. Standardising outcome assessment through a COS and improving consistency in reporting will strengthen future research and support the translation of lifestyle interventions into clinical practice.

Acknowledgements

Competing interests

The authors, Bashir Bello; Fatima Y. Aliyu; Bashir Kaka and Ushotanefe Useh, declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

CRediT authorship contribution

Bashir Bello: Conceptualisation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualisation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Fatima Y. Aliyu: Conceptualisation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Software, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Bashir Kaka: Formal analysis, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Ushotanefe Useh: Formal analysis, Investigation, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Visualisation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. All authors reviewed the article, contributed to the discussion of results, approved the final version for submission and publication, and take responsibility for the integrity of its findings.

Funding information

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in our study.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and are the product of professional research. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated institution, funder, agency or the publisher. The authors are responsible for the article’s results, findings and content.

References

Alfieri, F.M., Lima, A.R., Salgueiro, M.M., Andrade, E.A., Battistella, L.R. & Silva, N.C.O.V.E., 2020, ‘Efficacy of an exercise program combined with lifestyle education in patients with knee osteoarthritis’, Acta Reumatológica Portuguesa 45(3), 201–208.

Alghadir, A.H., Anwer, S., Sarkar, B., Paul, A.K. & Anwar, D., 2019, ‘Effect of 6-week retro or forward walking program on pain, functional disability, quadriceps muscle strength, and performance in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial (retro-walking trial)’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 20, 159. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2537-9

Ali, A.A., Hussain, A., Waqas, S., Jokhio, S.A. & Zainab, W., 2025, ‘Effects of strengthening exercises on the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis’, Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research 3(7), e376. https://doi.org/10.61919/zx234g19

Arksey, H. & O’Malley, L., 2005, ‘Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework’, International Journal of Social Research Methodology 8, 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

Bannuru, R.R., Osani, M., Vaysbrot, E., Arden, N., Bennell, K., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. et al., 2019, ‘OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis’, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 27, 1578–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2019.06.011

Bendrik, R., Kallings, L.V., Broms, K., Kunanusornchai, W. & Emtner, M., 2021, ‘Physical activity on prescription in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial’, Clinical Rehabilitation 35, 1465–1477. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155211008807

Bennell, K., Nelligan, R.K., Schwartz, S., Kasza, J., Kimp, A., Crofts, S.J.C. et al., 2020, ‘Behavior change text messages for home exercise adherence in knee osteoarthritis: Randomized trial’, Journal of Medical Internet Research 22(9), e21749. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.21749

Bennell, K.L., Campbell, P.K., Egerton, T., Metcalf, B., Kasza, J., Forbes, A. et al., 2017a, ‘Telephone coaching to enhance a home-based physical activity program for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial’, Arthritis Care & Research (Hoboken) 69, 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.22915

Bennell, K.L., Nelligan, R., Dobson, F., Rini, C., Keefe, F., Kasza, J. et al., 2017b, ‘Effectiveness of an internet-delivered exercise and pain-coping skills training intervention for persons with chronic knee pain: A randomized trial’, Annals of Internal Medicine 166, 453–462. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-1714

Bennell, K.L., Lawford, B.J., Keating, C., Brown, C., Kasza, J., Mackenzie, D. et al., 2022, ‘Comparing video-based, telehealth-delivered exercise and weight loss programs with online education on outcomes of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized trial’, Annals of Internal Medicine 175, 198–209. https://doi.org/10.7326/M21-2388

Bliddal, H., Leeds, A.R. & Christensen, R., 2014, ‘Osteoarthritis, obesity and weight loss: Evidence, hypotheses and horizons – A scoping review’, Obesity Reviews 15, 578–586. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12173

Carmona-Teres, V., Lumillo-Gutierrez, I., Jodar-Fernandez, L., Rodriguez-Blanco, T., Moix-Queralto, J., Pujol-Ribera, E. et al., 2015, ‘Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a health coaching intervention to improve the lifestyle of patients with knee osteoarthritis: Cluster randomized clinical trial’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 16, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-015-0501-x

Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP), 2018, ‘CASP qualitative checklist’, viewed 14 February 2026, from https://jbi.global/sites/default/files/2020-07/Checklist_for_Quasi-Experimental_Appraisal_Tool.pdf.

Chen, Z., Ye, X., Wang, Y., Shen, Z., Wu, J., Chen, W. et al., 2021, ‘The efficacy of backward walking on static stability, proprioception, pain, and physical function of patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial’, Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine (eCAM) 2021, 5574966. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5574966

Christensen, R., Bartels, E.M., Astrup, A. & Bliddal, H., 2007, ‘Effect of weight reduction in obese patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 66, 433–439. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2006.065904

Cross, M., Smith, E., Hoy, D., Nolte, S., Ackerman, I., Fransen, M. et al., 2014, ‘The global burden of hip and knee osteoarthritis: Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study’, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 73, 1323–1330. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204763

De Rooij, M., Van Der Leeden, M., Cheung, J., Van Der Esch, M., Hakkinen, A., Haverkamp, D. et al., 2017, ‘Efficacy of tailored exercise therapy on physical functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis and comorbidity: A randomized controlled trial’, Arthritis Care & Research (Hoboken) 69, 807–816. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23013

Fernandes, L., Hagen, K.B., Bijlsma, J.W.J., Andreassen, O., Christensen, P., Conaghan, P.G. et al., 2013, ‘EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis’, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 72, 1125–1135. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202745

Focht, B.C., Rejeski, W.J., Hackshaw, K., Ambrosius, W.T., Groessl, E., Chaplow, Z.L. et al., 2022, ‘The Collaborative Lifestyle Intervention Program in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients (CLIP-OA) trial: Design and methods’, Contemporary Clinical Trials 115, 106730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2022.106730

Fransen, M., Mcconnell, S., Harmer, A.R., Van Der Esch, M., Simic, M. & Bennell, K.L., 2015, ‘Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee: A Cochrane systematic review’, British Journal of Sports Medicine 49, 1554–1557. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095424

Giardulli, B., Marazzi, D., Nespoli, A., Leuzzi, G., Dell’isola, A., Prior, Y. et al., 2025, ‘Perceived barriers and facilitators to exercise adherence in osteoarthritis: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies’, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open 7, 100584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2025.100584

Godziuk, K., Prado, C.M., Quintanilha, M. & Forhan, M., 2023, ‘Acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a single-arm 12-week digital behavioral health intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 24, 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06238-8

Gohir, S.A., Eek, F., Kelly, A., Abhishek, A. & Valdes, A.M., 2021, ‘Effectiveness of internet-based exercises aimed at treating knee osteoarthritis: The iBEAT-OA randomized clinical trial’, JAMA Network Open 4, e210012. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.0012

Gudbergsen, H., Overgaard, A., Henriksen, M., Waehrens, E.E., Bliddal, H., Christensen, R. et al., 2021, ‘Liraglutide after diet-induced weight loss for pain and weight control in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 113, 314–323. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqaa328

Harris, A., Hinman, R.S., Lawford, B.J., Egerton, T., Keating, C., Brown, C. et al., 2023, ‘Cost-effectiveness of telehealth-delivered exercise and dietary weight loss programs for knee osteoarthritis within a twelve-month randomized trial’, Arthritis Care & Research (Hoboken) 75, 1311–1319. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.25022

Hawker, G.A., 2019, ‘Osteoarthritis is a serious disease’, Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 37, 3–6.

Henriksen, M., Christensen, R., Kristensen, L.E., Bliddal, H., Bartholdy, C., Boesen, M. et al., 2023, ‘Exercise and education vs intra-articular saline for knee osteoarthritis: A 1-year follow-up of a randomized trial’, Osteoarthritis Cartilage 31, 627–635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2022.12.011

Hinman, R., Nelligan, R., Bennell, K. & Delany, C., 2017, ‘“Sounds a bit crazy, but it was almost more personal”: A qualitative study of patient and clinician experiences of physical therapist–prescribed exercise for knee osteoarthritis via Skype’, Arthritis Care & Research 69, 1834–1844. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23218

Hinman, R.S., Campbell, P.K., Lawford, B.J., Briggs, A.M., Gale, J., Bills, C. et al., 2020, ‘Does telephone-delivered exercise advice and support by physiotherapists improve pain and/or function in people with knee osteoarthritis? Telecare randomised controlled trial’, British Journal of Sports Medicine 54, 790–797. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101183

Holm, P.M., Roos, E.M., Gronne, D.T. & Skou, S.T., 2023, ‘Online and onsite supervised exercise therapy and education for individuals with knee osteoarthritis – A before and after comparison of two different care delivery models’, Musculoskeletal Care 21, 878–889. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1765

Huffman, K.F., Ambrose, K.R., Nelson, A.E., Allen, K.D., Golightly, Y.M. & Callahan, L.F., 2024, ‘The critical role of physical activity and weight management in knee and hip osteoarthritis: A narrative review’, Journal of Rheumatology 51, 224–233. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.2023-0819

Hunter, D.J. & Bierma-Zeinstra, S., 2019, ‘Osteoarthritis’, The Lancet 393, 1745–1759. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30417-9

Izquierdo, M., Ramírez-Vélez, R. & Fiatarone Singh, M.A., 2025, ‘Integrating exercise and medication management in geriatric care: A holistic strategy to enhance health outcomes and reduce polypharmacy’, The Lancet Healthy Longevity 6, 100763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100763

Jorge, R.T., Souza, M.C., Chiari, A., Jones, A., Fernandes Ada, R., Lombardi Junior, I. et al., 2015, ‘Progressive resistance exercise in women with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized controlled trial’, Clinical Rehabilitation 29, 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215514540920

Kaufman, B.G., Allen, K.D., Coffman, C.J., Woolson, S., Caves, K., Hall, K. et al., 2022, ‘Cost and quality of life outcomes of the STepped exercise program for patients with Knee OsteoArthritis trial’, Value Health 25, 614–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2021.09.018

Khachian, A., Seyedoshohadaei, M., Haghani, H. & Amiri, F., 2020, ‘Effect of self-management program on outcome of adult knee osteoarthritis’, International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 39, 100797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijotn.2020.100797

Landry, M.J. & Bagha, Z., 2026, ‘Lifestyle management approaches for obesity’, Journal of Clinical Lipidology 20, 38–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2025.08.022

Lange, A.K., Vanwanseele, B., Foroughi, N., Baker, M.K., Shnier, R., Smith, R.M. et al., 2009, ‘Resistive Exercise for Arthritic Cartilage Health (REACH): A randomized double-blind, sham-exercise controlled trial’, BMC Geriatrics 9, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-9-1

Lawford, B.J., Hinman, R.S., Kasza, J., Nelligan, R., Keefe, F., Rini, C. et al., 2018, ‘Moderators of effects of internet-delivered exercise and pain coping skills training for people with knee osteoarthritis: Exploratory analysis of the IMPACT randomized controlled trial’, Journal of Medical Internet Research 20, 1. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.10021

Lawford, B.J., Hinman, R.S., Mcmanus, F., Lamb, K.E., Egerton, T., Keating, C. et al., 2023, ‘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’, Arthritis Care & Research (Hoboken) 75, 2316–2327. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.25140

Li, L.C., Feehan, L.M., Xie, H., Lu, N., Shaw, C.D., Gromala, D. et al., 2020, ‘Effects of a 12-week multifaceted wearable-based program for people with knee osteoarthritis: Randomized controlled trial’, JMIR mHealth and uHealth 8, e19116. https://doi.org/10.2196/19116

Loeser, R.F., Beavers, D.P., Bay-Jensen, A.C., Karsdal, M.A., Nicklas, B.J., Guermazi, A. et al., 2017, ‘Effects of dietary weight loss with and without exercise on interstitial matrix turnover and tissue inflammation biomarkers in adults with knee osteoarthritis: The Intensive Diet and Exercise for Arthritis trial (IDEA)’, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 25, 1822–1828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2017.07.015

Méndez, L. & Medina, I., 2021, ‘Polyphenols and fish oils for improving metabolic health: A revision of the recent evidence for their combined nutraceutical effects’, Molecules 26, 2438. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092438

Messier, S.P., Beavers, D.P., Queen, K., Mihalko, S.L., Miller, G.D., Losina, E. et al., 2022, ‘Effect of diet and exercise on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity: A randomized clinical trial’, JAMA 328, 2242–2251. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.21893

Messier, S.P., Mihalko, S.L., Beavers, D.P., Nicklas, B.J., Devita, P., Carr, J.J. et al., 2021, ‘Effect of high-intensity strength training on knee pain and knee joint compressive forces among adults with knee osteoarthritis: The START randomized clinical trial’, JAMA 325, 646–657. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.0411

Messier, S.P., Mihalko, S.L., Legault, C., Miller, G.D., Nicklas, B.J., Devita, P. et al., 2013, ‘Effects of intensive diet and exercise on knee joint loads, inflammation, and clinical outcomes among overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis: The IDEA randomized clinical trial’, JAMA 310, 1263–1273. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.27766

Mohammed, S.H.A. & Rasool, M.T., 2023, ‘Effectiveness of home-based conventional exercise and cryotherapy on daily living activities in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled clinical trial’, Medicine (Baltimore) 102, e33678. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000033678

Moola, S., Munn, Z., Tufanaru, C., Aromataris, E., Sears, K., Sfetcu, R. et al., 2020, ‘Systematic reviews of etiology and risk’, JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis 1, 217–269. https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIRM-17-06

O’Brien, K.M., Wiggers, J., Williams, A., Campbell, E., Hodder, R.K., Wolfenden, L. et al., 2018, ‘Telephone-based weight loss support for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial’, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 26, 485–494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2018.01.003

Ojoawo, A.O., Odesanya, O., Kunuji, K., Mbada, C.E. & Adedeji, O.O., 2024, ‘Effect of clinic-based and telemonitored home-based intervention on pain intensity, functioning and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis’, European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine 22, 73–81. https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2024.1.14

Østerås, N., Blaker, I.B., Hjortland, T., Cottrell, E., Quicke, J.G., Dziedzic, K.S. et al., 2021, ‘Improving osteoarthritis management in primary healthcare: Results from a quasi-experimental study’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 22, 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-03959-6

Peters, M.D.J., Marnie, C., Tricco, A.C., Pollock, D., Munn, Z., Alexander, L. et al., 2020, ‘Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews’, JBI Evidence Synthesis 18, 2119–2126. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-20-00167

Rafiq, M.T., Abdul Hamid, M.S. & Hafiz, E., 2021, ‘The effect of rehabilitation protocol using mobile health in overweight and obese patients with knee osteoarthritis: A clinical trial’, Advances in Rheumatology 61, 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42358-021-00221-4

Sadeghi, A., Rostami, M., Khanlari, Z., Zeraatchi, A., Jalili, N., Karimi Moghaddam, A. et al., 2023, ‘Effectiveness of muscle strengthening exercises on the clinical outcomes of patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized four-arm controlled trial’, Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine 14, 433–442. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00500-7

Sadeghi, A., Zarrinjooiee, G., Mousavi, S.N., Abdollahi Sabet, S. & Jalili, N., 2022, ‘Effects of a Mediterranean diet compared with the low-fat diet on patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized feeding trial’, International Journal of Clinical Practice 2022, 7275192. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7275192

Safiri, S., Kolahi, A.-A., Smith, E., Hill, C., Bettampadi, D., Mansournia, M.A. et al., 2020, ‘Global, regional and national burden of osteoarthritis 1990–2017: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017’, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 79, 819–828. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216515

Saleem, N., Waseem, I., Batool, F., Mahmood, T. & Mahmood, W., 2022, ‘Effect of Pilates based exercises for improving pain and physical function in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis – A randomized controlled clinical trial’, Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care 26(3), 291–296. https://doi.org/10.35975/apic.v26i3.1894

Sanghi, D., Avasthi, S., Srivastava, R. & Singh, A., 2009, ‘Nutritional factors and osteoarthritis: A review article’, Internet Journal of Medical Update 4(1), 42–53. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijmu.v4i1.39873

Saw, M.M., Kruger-Jakins, T., Edries, N. & Parker, R., 2016, ‘Significant improvements in pain after a six-week physiotherapist-led exercise and education intervention, in patients with osteoarthritis awaiting arthroplasty, in South Africa: A randomised controlled trial’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 17, 236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1088-6

Sengul, A., Yavuzer, M.G., Keles, O., Tunali, A.N. & Tuncer, D., 2022, ‘Isometric quadriceps exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial comparing knee joint position flexion versus extension’, Rehabilitation Research and Practice 2022, 2690871. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2690871

Smith, J.L., Innes, A.Q., Burns, D.S., Deniszczyc, D., Selfe, J., Macconville, S. et al., 2023, ‘A scalable 12-week exercise and education programme reduces symptoms and improves function and wellbeing in people with hip and knee osteoarthritis’, Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 4, 1147938. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2023.1147938

Somers, T.J., Blumenthal, J.A., Guilak, F., Kraus, V.B., Schmitt, D.O., Babyak, M.A. et al., 2012, ‘Pain coping skills training and lifestyle behavioral weight management in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled study’, Pain 153, 1199–1209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2012.02.023

Sterne, J.A., Hernán, M.A., Reeves, B.C., Savović, J., Berkman, N.D., Viswanathan, M. et al., 2016, ‘ROBINS-I: A tool for assessing risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions’, BMJ 355, i4919. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4919

Strath, L.J., Jones, C.D., Philip George, A., Lukens, S.L., Morrison, S.A., Soleymani, T. et al., 2020, ‘The effect of low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets on pain in individuals with knee osteoarthritis’, Pain Medicine 21, 150–160. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnz022

Stubbs, B., Aluko, Y., Myint, P.K. & Smith, T.O., 2016, ‘Prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety in osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Age and Ageing 45, 228–235. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw001

Taglietti, M., Facci, L.M., Trelha, C.S., De Melo, F.C., Da Silva, D.W., Sawczuk, G. et al., 2018, ‘Effectiveness of aquatic exercises compared to patient-education on health status in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial’, Clinical Rehabilitation 32, 766–776. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215517754240

Tricco, A.C., Soobiah, C., Antony, J., Cogo, E., Macdonald, H., Lillie, E. et al., 2016, ‘A scoping review identifies multiple emerging knowledge synthesis methods, but few studies operationalize the method’, Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 73, 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2015.08.030

Uthman, O.A., Van Der Windt, D.A., Jordan, J.L., Dziedzic, K.S., Healey, E.L., Peat, G.M. et al., 2013, ‘Exercise for lower limb osteoarthritis: Systematic review incorporating trial sequential analysis and network meta-analysis’, BMJ 347, f5555. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f5555

Vos, T., Lim, S.S., Abbafati, C., Abbas, K.M., Abbasi, M., Abbasifard, M. et al., 2020, ‘Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019’, The Lancet 396, 1204–1222.

Walrabenstein, W., Wagenaar, C., Van Der Leeden, M., Gerritsen, M., Van Der Esch, M. & Van Schaardenburg, D., 2022, ‘Effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle program on patients with metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis: The plants for joints randomized controlled trial’, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 18 (1), 322–328. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-eular.1738

Wang, F., Zhang, X., Tong, X., Zhang, M., Xing, F., Yang, K. et al., 2021, ‘The effects on pain, physical function, and quality of life of quadriceps strengthening exercises combined with Baduanjin Qigong in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A quasi-experimental study’, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 22, 313. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04179-8

Wells, G. A., Shea, B., O’Connell, D., Peterson, J., Welch, V., Losos, M. et al., 2000, ‘The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses’, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. viewed 25 March 2026, from http://www.ohri.ca/programs/clinical_epidemiology/oxford.asp.

Wu, Z., Zhou, R., Zhu, Y., Zeng, Z., Ye, Z., Wang, Z. et al., 2022, ‘Self-management for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials’, Pain Research & Management 2022, 2681240. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2681240



Crossref Citations

No related citations found.