Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a digitally supported physical activity (PA) intervention on pain, physical function, exercise adherence and quality of life in females with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Thirty female participants with knee OA were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 15) receiving patient education, smartwatch use, and a home exercise programme, or an intervention group (n = 15) receiving an additional digitally supported walking programme. The primary outcome measures were pain severity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]), physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC]) and exercise adherence. Secondary outcomes included quality of life (European Quality of Life Scale 5 Dimensions/EQ-5D-3L), daily step count and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale/PCS). Assessments were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in pain severity (1.4 cm larger improvement on NPRS; p = 0.005), physical function (6.4-point larger improvement on WOMAC total score; p = 0.003) and daily step count (1548 steps larger improvement; p = 0.045) compared to the control group. Both groups demonstrated similar significant improvements in exercise adherence, pain catastrophizing, and quality of life (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A digitally supported PA intervention, in addition to patient education and a home exercise programme, significantly improved pain, physical function and PA in females with knee OA. These findings support the efficacy of structured, supervised digital interventions for enhancing outcomes in this population. Future studies should explore strategies to enhance long-term adherence through digital PA interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki (Clinical Trial Registry Number: NCT05810376).