Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial
BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) presents a significant burden in China due to its high prevalence, aging population, and rising obesity rates. Despite clinical guidelines recommending evidence-based care, limited practitioner training and inadequate telehealth integration...
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JMIR Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e71057 |
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| author | Zi-Ru Wang Yunqi Wang Shuning Duan Xier Chen Guoxin Ni |
| author_facet | Zi-Ru Wang Yunqi Wang Shuning Duan Xier Chen Guoxin Ni |
| author_sort | Zi-Ru Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) presents a significant burden in China due to its high prevalence, aging population, and rising obesity rates. Despite clinical guidelines recommending evidence-based care, limited practitioner training and inadequate telehealth integration hinder effective OA management.
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an e-learning program in improving the confidence and knowledge of Chinese physical therapists in managing knee OA and to explore their perceptions of the program.
MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms involving 81 rehabilitation practitioners from 18 Chinese provinces. The intervention group completed a 4-week web-based training program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]-Chinese), while the control group received no training. The primary outcome was self-reported confidence in OA management (11-point scale). Secondary outcomes included knowledge (Chinese Knee Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale [KOAKS]) and likelihood of clinical application of core OA treatments. Process measures and semistructured interviews captured participants’ training perceptions. Quantitative data were analyzed using regression models, 2-sided t tests, and descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis was performed on the interview data of 10 participants.
ResultsA total of 80 participants completed the outcome measures at 4 weeks. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in confidence compared to the control group, including managing OA with exercise-based programs (adjusted mean difference=3.27, 95% CI 2.72-3.81), prescribing exercise (adjusted mean difference=3.13, 95% CI 2.55-3.72), and delivering telehealth (adjusted mean difference=4.41, 95% CI 3.77-5.05). KOAKS scores also improved significantly (mean change=9.46); however, certain belief bias related to OA concepts and the use of scans remained unchanged (25/41, 61% and 27/41, 66%, respectively). Approximately 73% (30/41) of the intervention participants rated the course as extremely useful. Interviews emphasized the need for cultural adaptation and practical telehealth training with real-life scenarios to enhance program applicability.
ConclusionsThe PEAK program improved Chinese practitioners’ confidence and knowledge in managing knee OA, underscoring e-learning’s potential to support evidence-based OA care in China. To optimize future implementations, further research strategies could include enhancing cultural relevance, addressing misconceptions, and incorporating practical, real-world training.
Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2400091007; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=239680 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7870b9d62404ebb96a03374cbb52682 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7870b9d62404ebb96a03374cbb526822025-08-20T02:17:28ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-04-0127e7105710.2196/71057Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled TrialZi-Ru Wanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4633-3161Yunqi Wanghttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-1430-0877Shuning Duanhttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-8513-781XXier Chenhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-4300-219XGuoxin Nihttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9181-8155 BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) presents a significant burden in China due to its high prevalence, aging population, and rising obesity rates. Despite clinical guidelines recommending evidence-based care, limited practitioner training and inadequate telehealth integration hinder effective OA management. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an e-learning program in improving the confidence and knowledge of Chinese physical therapists in managing knee OA and to explore their perceptions of the program. MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms involving 81 rehabilitation practitioners from 18 Chinese provinces. The intervention group completed a 4-week web-based training program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]-Chinese), while the control group received no training. The primary outcome was self-reported confidence in OA management (11-point scale). Secondary outcomes included knowledge (Chinese Knee Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale [KOAKS]) and likelihood of clinical application of core OA treatments. Process measures and semistructured interviews captured participants’ training perceptions. Quantitative data were analyzed using regression models, 2-sided t tests, and descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis was performed on the interview data of 10 participants. ResultsA total of 80 participants completed the outcome measures at 4 weeks. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in confidence compared to the control group, including managing OA with exercise-based programs (adjusted mean difference=3.27, 95% CI 2.72-3.81), prescribing exercise (adjusted mean difference=3.13, 95% CI 2.55-3.72), and delivering telehealth (adjusted mean difference=4.41, 95% CI 3.77-5.05). KOAKS scores also improved significantly (mean change=9.46); however, certain belief bias related to OA concepts and the use of scans remained unchanged (25/41, 61% and 27/41, 66%, respectively). Approximately 73% (30/41) of the intervention participants rated the course as extremely useful. Interviews emphasized the need for cultural adaptation and practical telehealth training with real-life scenarios to enhance program applicability. ConclusionsThe PEAK program improved Chinese practitioners’ confidence and knowledge in managing knee OA, underscoring e-learning’s potential to support evidence-based OA care in China. To optimize future implementations, further research strategies could include enhancing cultural relevance, addressing misconceptions, and incorporating practical, real-world training. Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2400091007; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=239680https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e71057 |
| spellingShingle | Zi-Ru Wang Yunqi Wang Shuning Duan Xier Chen Guoxin Ni Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full | Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_fullStr | Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_short | Effects of an e-Learning Program (Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis [PEAK]) on Chinese Physical Therapists’ Confidence and Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial |
| title_sort | effects of an e learning program physiotherapy exercise and physical activity for knee osteoarthritis peak on chinese physical therapists confidence and knowledge randomized controlled trial |
| url | https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e71057 |
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