Essential
- British researchers have tested the effectiveness of the Chain program, an eight -week program of static bicycle sessions for people with hip osteoarthritis.
- After this intervention, patients were moving better and had less pain.
- The observed improvement remained modest.
The osteoarthritis of the hip, which is characterized by a deterioration of the joint cartilage of the coxo-femoral joint (joint between the bone of the thigh and the basin), is a chronic disease often annoying on a daily basis. It is one of the main causes of chronic disability. In a new study, published in the journal The Lancet Rheumatologyscientists from the University of Bournemouth and the General Hospital of Southampton (United Kingdom) compared clinical efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of the Chain Intervention (Cycling Against Hip Pain), a collective cycling and education program, with the usual physiotherapy care for patients with hip arthrosis.
Osteoarthritis: an improvement in the hip function thanks to bicycle sessions
Between February 24, 2020 and April 28, 2023, 221 elderly people on average of 65 years, suffering from joint pain related to physical activity, without morning stiffness or with a morning stiffness not persisting no more than 30 minutes, were recruited. The patients were distributed randomly between the Chain intervention and the usual physiotherapy care. In detail, the program, which lasted eight weeks, was made up of static bicycle sessions designed to help people with hip osteoarthritis by strengthening their muscles and bones, as well as improving their balance and physical condition. He combines exercise lessons with training sessions on the management of hip osteoarthritis.
According to the results, a significant improvement in the hip function has been observed in adults who participated in the Chain program compared to patients with usual physiotherapy care. More specifically, they had better scores for carrying out activities of daily life. “Although the main evaluation criterion has shown a statistically significant improvement for the Chain program compared to usual physiotherapy, the difference between groups of 6.9 points has not reached the clinically significant predefined difference of 7.4”, said the authors before clarifying that no serious adverse effects linked to the intervention has been reported.
Reduce costs and waiting lists for physiotherapy
“The Chain program cost £ 4,092 per year of life adjusted according to the quality earned compared to the usual physiotherapy care.” Its cost is therefore below the threshold of £ 20,000 at £ 30,000 from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. Currently, patients with hip osteoarthritis in Dorset is offered, thanks to a partnership between the research team and the operator of the BH Live leisure center. “The objective is that the intervention can now be deployed nationally.”