The Effectiveness of a Multimedia Messaging Service Reminder System in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

Gali Dar, Yaron Marx, Emma Ioffe, Einat Kodesh

Maccabi Health Care Services, Afula and Tiberias, Israel.
Maccabi Health Care Services, Grand Canyon, Haifa, Israel.
Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel Ribstein Center for Research and Sports Medicine, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel.

DOI: 10.4236/ijcm.2014.59067                

Abstract

Background: Patient compliance to home exercise programs is significantly linked to improved treatment outcomes. Finding ways of encouraging patient conformity to these programs is imperative. For patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, a condition that causes pain, disability and lessens the quality of life, exercise is essential for effective control of the condition. Aim: to investigate the effectiveness of multimedia messaging services (MMS) in improving patient adherence and functional outcome to home based exercise programs for patients suffering from knee OA. Methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with knee OA and were referred to an exercise group therapy (for a total of six sessions) participated in this pilot study. The patients were randomly assigned to either the research or control group. The research group received MMS messages additional to the exercise sessions (video of exercises up to 10 seconds in length) to their mobile phone. Outcome measurement included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, combined Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and a general questionnaire. Results: The research group had baseline scores representing slightly higher disability, pain and fear avoidance than the control group as observed by the lower FOTO score and the higher FABQ, VAS and WOMAC scores. Analyzing the difference between initial and final scores revealed that the research group had a slightly higher perceived functional improvement. Conclusions: This study addressed the feasibility of short video messaging via mobile phones in increasing compliance to home exercise programs prescribed to patients suffering from knee OA. This pilot study provides an indication for the potential of success and a larger sample study should be conducted.

Keywords

Osteoarthritis, Multimedia, Physical therapy, Rehabilitation, Exercises

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Deutscher, D., Horn, S., Dickstein, R., Hart, D., Smout, R., Gutvirtz, M. and Ariel, I. (2009) Associations Between Treatment Processes, Patient Characteristics, and Outcomes in Outpatient Physical Therapy Practice. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90, 1349-1363. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2009.02.005
[2]	Fransen, M., Crosbie, J. and Edmonds, J. (2001) Physical Therapy Is Effective for Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Rheumatology, 28, 156.
[3]	Deyle, G., Henderson, N. and Matekel, R. (2000) Effectiveness of Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise in Osteoarthritis of the Knee. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 132, 173. http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-132-3-200002010-00002
[4]	Bennell, K., Hinman, R., Metcalf B., Buchbinder, R., McConnell, J., McColl, G., Green, S. and Crossley, K. (2005) Efficacy of Physiotherapy Management of Knee Joint Osteoarthritis: A Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 64, 906. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ard.2004.026526
[5]	Chamberlain, M.A., Care, G. and Harfield, B. (1982) Physiotherapy in Osteoarthrosis of the Knees. A Controlled Trial of Hospital versus Home Exercises. Disability & Rehabilitation, 4, 101-106.
[6]	Chan, D., Lonsdale, C., Ho, P., Yung, P. and Chan, K. (2009) Patient Motivation and Adherence to Postsurgery Rehabilitation Exercise Recommendations: The Influence of Physiotherapists' Autonomy-Supportive Behaviors. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90, 1977-1982. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2009.05.024
[7]	Miloh, T. and Annunziato, R (2010) Adhering to Your Non-Adherent Patients: The Challenge of Non-Compliance. Acta Paediatrica, 99, 335-337. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01702.x
[8]	Krishna, S., Austin Boren, S. and Balas, A. (2009) Healthcare via Cell Phones: A Systematic Review. Telemedicine and E-Health, 15, 231-240.
[9]	Culley, C. and Evans, J. (2010) SMS Text Messaging as a Means of Increasing Recall of Therapy Goals in Brain Injury Rehabilitation: A Single-Blind Within-Subjects Trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 20, 103-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09602010902906926
[10]	Kim, H.S. and Jeong, H.S. (2007) A Nurse Short Message Service by Cellular Phone in Type-2 Diabetic Patients for Six Months. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16, 1082-1087. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.01698.x
[11]	Patrick, K., Raab, F., Adams, M.A., Dillon, L., Zabinski, M., Rock, C.L., Griswold, W.G. and Norman, G.J. (2009) A Text Message-Based Intervention for Weight Loss: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 11, e1. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.1100
[12]	Armstrong, A., Watson, A., Makredes, M., Frangos, J., Kimball, A. and Kvedar, J. (2009) Text-Message Reminders to Improve Sunscreen Use: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Using Electronic Monitoring. Archives of Dermatology, 145, 1230-1236. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2009.269
[13]	Hurling, R., Catt, M., De Bonj, M., Fairley, B., Hurst, T., Murray, P., Richardson, A. and Sodhi, J. (2007) Using Internet and Mobile Phone Technology to Deliver an Automated Physical Activity Program: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 9, e7. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.9.2.e7
[14]	Sahm, L., MacCurtain, A., Hayden, J., Roche, C. and Richards, H. (2009) Electronic Reminders to Improve Medication Adherence—Are They Acceptable to the Patient? Pharmacy World and Science, 31, 627-629. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-009-9327-7
[15]	Davalos, M., French, M., Burdick, A. and Simmons, S (2009) Economic Evaluation of Telemedicine: Review of the Literature and Research Guidelines for Benefit-Cost Analysis. Telemedicine and E-Health, 15, 933-949.
[16]	Waddell, G., Newton, M., Henderson, I., Somerville, D. and Main, C.J. (1993) A Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and the Role of Fear-Avoidance Beliefs in Chronic Low Back Pain and Disability. Pain, 52, 157-168. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0304-3959(93)90127-B
[17]	Bellamy, N., Buchanan, W.W., Goldsmith, C.H., Campbell, J. and Stitt, L.W. (1988) Validation study of WOMAC: A Health Status Instrument for Measuring Clinically Important Patient Relevant Outcomes to Antirheumatic Drug Therapy in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee. The Journal of Rheumatology, 15, 1833-18340.