Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility of Good Boost+ for Adults Awaiting Total Knee Replacement

If you're waiting for knee replacement surgery due to arthritis, this study is for you. It's called Good Boost+ and explores a new exercise programme. We want to see if it's easy for people to join and stick with, how much they enjoy it, and if it helps them feel better while waiting for their operation. The programme includes water-based exercise at local pools and exercises you can do at home, guided by digital tools. By understanding what works well and what doesn't, we can decide if a larger study is needed. This could help improve how people manage their knee pain before surgery.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2028

Osteoarthritis (Knee)Arthroplasties, Knee Replacement

What is this study about?

You're probably reading this because you or someone you know is facing a knee replacement operation. Waiting for this surgery can be a tough time. Your knee might hurt more, you might find everyday things harder, and it can even affect your mood. These challenges can also make it harder to recover well after your operation.

This study is looking at something called 'prehabilitation' – which simply means getting fit and active before your surgery. The idea is that exercising before your operation might help you feel better during the wait and could even help you recover faster afterwards. While this sounds promising, these types of programmes aren't widely available yet, and we need to work out the best way to offer them so they are helpful and easy to stick with for people like you.

That's where the Good Boost+ programme comes in. It uses special digital tools to deliver exercises. You'd do some gentle, water-based exercises in a group at a local swimming pool and also some exercises on land, either on your own or with a virtual group. Exercising in water can be really comfortable for sore knees, and the group sessions at the pool are a chance to meet others and get support. This study will help us understand if this approach works well for people waiting for knee surgery and if we should offer it more widely.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new exercise programme (Good Boost+) for people awaiting knee replacement.
It aims to see if the programme is practical, enjoyable, and helpful.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either usual care or usual care plus Good Boost+.
Good Boost+ involves water-based group exercises and land-based exercises using digital tools.
Your input could help improve care for future patients waiting for knee surgery.
You can stop participating at any time without affecting your NHS care.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be 18 or older and currently on the waiting list for your first total knee replacement surgery. You should have moderate knee pain, meaning it's noticeable but not the very worst pain imaginable. You also need to be willing to join a six-week exercise programme and able to pay a small fee (around £4.30) for the last two water-based sessions, which is similar to what over 60s classes usually cost locally. You'll also need a smartphone or tablet with internet access to help with the exercises.

Some things would mean you can't join. For example, if you're having another major joint replacement soon, or if you're waiting for a second knee replacement on the same knee. You also can't take part if you have certain types of arthritis that cause inflammation, or if a doctor has told you not to exercise. We also can't include you if you've already used the Good Boost water-based exercise programme before, or if you're already in another medical study that might affect the results of this one. You also need to be able to understand and communicate in English to take part.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you waiting for your first total knee replacement surgery?
Do you have knee pain that you would describe as moderate (not the worst, but definitely there)?
Do you have access to a smartphone or tablet with internet?
Are you willing to do group water exercise and home-based land exercise?
Can you understand and communicate well in English?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be put into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will get the usual care from the NHS. The other group will get the usual NHS care PLUS the Good Boost+ exercise programme.

If you're in the Good Boost+ group, you'll take part in six weekly group exercise sessions in local swimming pools. You'll also do land-based exercises at home, using a smartphone or computer, either by yourself or with a virtual group. Physiotherapy staff will be there to guide you, and volunteers will offer refreshments after the pool sessions, which is a nice chance to chat.

No matter which group you're in, you'll be asked to keep a simple exercise diary, rate your knee pain each week, and fill out a couple of short questionnaires after 6 and 10 weeks. The total duration of your active participation, including follow-up, will be around 10 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several potential benefits. If you're in the Good Boost+ group, the exercise programme might help ease your knee pain, improve your movement, and lift your spirits while you wait for surgery. It could also help you connect with others. For both groups, your input will help us understand how to improve care for other people waiting for knee surgery in the future. As with any exercise, there's a small risk of discomfort or injury, but the exercises are designed to be gentle and guided by professionals. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'prehabilitation'?

It's about getting fit and active through exercise before your surgery, which might help you feel better during the wait and recover more quickly afterwards.

What kind of exercises will I do with Good Boost+?

You'll do gentle water-based exercises in a group at a local swimming pool, and exercises on land that you can do at home using an app on your phone or computer.

Will I have to pay anything?

You'll need to pay a small fee of about £4.30 for the last two water-based exercise sessions. This is a standard fee for similar local exercise classes.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your active participation, including the exercise programme and follow-up questionnaires, will be for about 10 weeks.

What if I decide I don't want to continue?

You are completely free to leave the study at any time, and it won't affect the care you receive from the NHS.

How to find out more

Nicky Wilson

nicky.wilson1@nhs.net +442032995809 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.