Acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a single-arm 12-week digital behavioral health intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions may improve osteoarthritis (OA) management. This study evaluated the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a multimodal digital nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness intervention in adults with knee OA. METHODS: Adults with advanced knee OA and an orthopaedic referral were invited to self-enroll in a pragmatic 12-week single-arm intervention. OA-focused nutrition and exercise resources were delivered weekly by email, and secondary components accessed on-demand (web-platform, webinars, and nutrition consultation). Acceptability was assessed by qualitative interview data and completion rates. Preliminary effectiveness on clinical outcomes was assessed by change in health-related quality of life, well-being, mindfulness, self-efficacy, and interest in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between baseline and 12-weeks. RESULTS: N = 102 patients self-enrolled (73.5% female, age 64 ± 7 years, body mass index 32.9 ± 7.3 kg/m(2)); n = 53 completed the 12-week intervention (71.7% female, age 65 ± 7 years, body mass index 33.4 ± 6.3 kg/m(2)). Acceptability was demonstrated by positive perceptions of tailored intervention resources. In study completers, health-related quality of life components of pain and physical functioning domains improved at 12-weeks [change in SF36 4.4 (95%CI 0.2–8.6), p = 0.016, and 6.7 (95%CI 2.7–10.7), p < 0.001, respectively]. Self-efficacy for managing daily activities improved [change in PROMIS T-score 4.4 (95%CI 2.8–6.0), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: A 12-week digital multimodal intervention for knee OA was acceptable to patients and shows preliminary effectiveness in improving self-efficacy, aspects of quality of life, and decreasing interest in TKA. Digital behavioral interventions for knee OA may be an acceptable approach to improve patient outcomes and OA self-management while potentially reducing utilization of costly health system resources. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-023-06238-8.