Support programme for older people suffering from osteoarthritis
A bespoke support programme is being offered to older people in Swansea Bay who are living with knee or hip osteoarthritis.
Patients aged 70 or over who experience the pain in these joints are being invited to take part in a research study called Tiptoe.
This looks at how well a personalised support programme can help individuals with osteoarthritic pain in the knee, hip, or both, alongside other long-term conditions.
The study involves six one-to-one sessions with a trained healthcare practitioner, over a period of six months, and aims to improve osteoarthritis symptoms and quality of life.
It is being run by Cardiff University, and supported by Health and Care Research Wales, with support from NHS sites across the country.
Physiotherapist and Principal Investigator for Swansea Bay UHB Alice Mayo said: "The study is examining how we can try to avoid surgery for patients living with arthritic knee and hip pain”.
"Patients will be randomly allocated into one of two treatment groups. The first group will be normal NHS care through the Exercise and Lifestyle Clinic. This involves options such as exercise, injections or bracing, and it will consider how best to manage pain and lifestyle as per normal care.
"The second group will receive the Tiptoe lifestyle intervention alongside normal care. This monitors their activity following the intervention and takes into account any falls and frailty.
The study measures health outcomes, as well as the clinical and cost effectiveness, but it is all about making people more independent and more active."
The six sessions, which can be held in person or via an online video link, are each an hour long, and are delivered by healthcare professionals.
206 patients are being recruited across Wales, 28 of these will be from the Swansea Bay area, to join others at sites across the UK.
Patients will be recruited from the Exercise and Lifestyle Programme and patients can find out more or to register take part visit www.TIPTOE.org.uk or email TIPTOE@cardiff.ac.uk.
Pictured: Alice Mayo
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