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Showing papers by "Christian J Barton published in 2023"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a systematic review of hip and knee osteoarthritis guidelines aimed to appraise the quality and consistency in recommendations across higher-quality guidelines was performed using the AGREE II tool.

1 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2023-BMJ Open
TL;DR: The SUPER-Knee study as mentioned in this paper investigated if SUpervised exercise-therapy and Patient Education Rehabilitation (SUPER) is superior to a minimal intervention control for improving pain, function and quality of life in young adults with ongoing symptoms following ACLR.
Abstract: Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction (ACLR) is often associated with pain, functional loss, poor quality of life and accelerated knee osteoarthritis development. The effectiveness of interventions to enhance outcomes for those at high risk of early-onset osteoarthritis is unknown. This study will investigate if SUpervised exercise-therapy and Patient Education Rehabilitation (SUPER) is superior to a minimal intervention control for improving pain, function and quality of life in young adults with ongoing symptoms following ACLR. Methods and analysis The SUPER-Knee Study is a parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Following baseline assessment, 184 participants aged 18–40 years and 9–36 months post-ACLR with ongoing symptoms will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (1:1 ratio). Ongoing symptoms will be defined as a mean score of <80/100 from four Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) subscales covering pain, symptoms, function in sports and recreational activities and knee-related quality of life. Participants randomised to SUPER will receive a 4-month individualised, physiotherapist-supervised strengthening and neuromuscular programme with education. Participants randomised to minimal intervention (ie, control group) will receive a printed best-practice guide for completing neuromuscular and strengthening exercises following ACLR. The primary outcome will be change in the KOOS4 from baseline to 4 months with a secondary endpoint at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include change in individual KOOS subscale scores, patient-perceived improvement, health-related quality of life, kinesiophobia, physical activity, thigh muscle strength, knee function and knee cartilage morphology (ie, lesions, thickness) and composition (T2 mapping) on MRI. Blinded intention-to-treat analyses will be performed. Findings will also inform cost-effectiveness analyses. Ethics and dissemination This study is approved by the La Trobe University and Alfred Hospital Ethics Committees. Results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. Trial registration number ACTRN12620001164987.

1 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Feb 2023-BMJ Open
TL;DR: In this paper , a longitudinal cohort study was conducted to compare knee joint structural features on MRI and knee symptoms at baseline and 4-year follow-up in runners with and without a history of knee surgery.
Abstract: Introduction Running is one of the most popular recreational activities worldwide, due to its low cost and accessibility. However, little is known about the impact of running on knee joint health in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. The primary aim of this longitudinal cohort study is to compare knee joint structural features on MRI and knee symptoms at baseline and 4-year follow-up in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. Secondary aims are to explore the relationships between training load exposures (volume and/or intensity) and changes in knee joint structure and symptoms over 4 years; explore the relationship between baseline running biomechanics, and changes in knee joint structure and symptoms over 4 years. In addition, we will explore whether additional variables confound, modify or mediate these associations, including sex, baseline lower-limb functional performance, knee muscle strength, psychological and sociodemographic factors. Methods and analysis A convenience sample of at least 200 runners (sex/gender balanced) with (n=100) and without (n=100) a history of knee surgery will be recruited. Primary outcomes will be knee joint health (MRI) and knee symptoms (baseline; 4 years). Exposure variables for secondary outcomes include training load exposure, obtained daily throughout the study from wearable devices and three-dimensional running biomechanics (baseline). Additional variables include lower limb functional performance, knee extensor and flexor muscle strength, biomarkers, psychological and sociodemographic factors (baseline). Knowledge and beliefs about osteoarthritis will be obtained through predefined questions and semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounding factors, will explore changes in knee joint structural features and symptoms, and the influence of potential modifiers and mediators. Ethics and dissemination Approved by the La Trobe University Ethics Committee (HEC-19524). Findings will be disseminated to stakeholders, peer-review journals and conferences.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: TREK as discussed by the authors is a web-based education and self-management toolkit for people with knee osteoarthritis, which aims to improve and facilitate engagement with guideline-recommended first-line care.
Abstract: Objective Describe the co-design process and learnings related to developing the web-based Translating Research Evidence and Knowledge (TREK) ‘My Knee’ education and self-management toolkit for people with knee osteoarthritis. Co-design process Stage (i): Understand and define; systematically reviewed education interventions in published trials; appraised web-based information about knee osteoarthritis; and used concept mapping to identify education priorities of people with knee osteoarthritis and physiotherapists. Stage (ii): Prototype; created a theory-, guideline- and evidence-informed toolkit. Stage (iii): Test and iterate; completed three co-design workshops with end-users (i.e., people with knee osteoarthritis and health professionals); plus an expert review. Results The toolkit is available at myknee.trekeducation.org. Stage (i) identified the need for more accurate and co-designed resources to address broad education needs generated during concept mapping, including guidance on surgery, dispelling common misconceptions and facilitating engagement with exercise therapy and weight management. A theory- and research-informed prototype was created in Stage (ii) to address broad learning and education needs. Stage (iii) co-design workshops (n = 15 people with osteoarthritis and n = 9 health professionals) informed further content creation and refinement, alongside improvements to optimise usability. Expert opinion review (n = 8) further refined accuracy and usability. Conclusions The novel co-design methodology employed to create the TREK ‘My Knee’ toolkit facilitated the alignment of the content and usability to meet the broad education needs of people with knee osteoarthritis and health professionals. This toolkit aims to improve and facilitate engagement with guideline-recommended first-line care for people with knee osteoarthritis. Future work will determine its effectiveness in improving clinical outcomes in this population.


Journal ArticleDOI
11 Apr 2023-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: In this article , a systematic review found no clear evidence to suggest factors such as age, sex, age, BMI, OA severity and presence of depression or comorbidities are associated with the response to first-line interventions for knee OA.
Abstract: Objective To identify individual characteristics associated with outcomes following combined first-line interventions for knee osteoarthritis. Methods MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and the Cochrane library were searched. Studies were included if they reported an association between baseline factors and change in pain or function following combined exercise therapy, osteoarthritis education, or weight management interventions for knee osteoarthritis. Risk of bias was assessed using Quality in Prognostic Factor Studies. Data was visualised and a narrative synthesis was conducted for key factors (age, sex, BMI, comorbidity, depression, and imaging severity). Results 32 studies were included. Being female compared to male was associated with 2–3 times the odds of a positive response. Older age was associated with reduced odds of a positive response. The effect size (less than 10% reduction) is unlikely to be clinically relevant. It was difficult to conclude whether BMI, comorbidity, depression and imaging severity were associated with pain and function outcomes following a combined first-line intervention for knee osteoarthritis. Low to very low certainty evidence was found for sex, BMI, depression, comorbidity and imaging severity and moderate certainty evidence for age. Varying study methods contributed to some difficulty in drawing clear conclusions. Conclusions This systematic review found no clear evidence to suggest factors such as age, sex, BMI, OA severity and presence of depression or comorbidities are associated with the response to first-line interventions for knee OA. Current evidence indicates that some groups of people may respond equally to first-line interventions, such as those with or without comorbidities. First-line interventions consisting of exercise therapy, education, and weight loss for people with knee OA should be recommended irrespective of sex, age, obesity, comorbidity, depression and imaging findings.