RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Pharmacist-physiotherapist Collaborative Management for Early Knee Osteoarthritis

This study is exploring a new way to help people with early knee osteoarthritis (OA), which is a common condition causing joint pain, often in older adults. It brings together local pharmacists and physiotherapists. Many people first go to a pharmacy for knee pain, so the study wants to use this easy access. Pharmacists will identify suitable patients and, for some, refer them to a physiotherapist. The goal is to see if this team approach, focusing on education, self-help, and exercise, along with appropriate medication advice, can provide better support for managing knee OA. There are no cures for OA, so learning how to manage it well is key.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Alberta

Enrolment target

125

Start

13 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee Physiotherapy Pharmacy

What is this study about?

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that can cause pain, aching, or stiffness in your knee. It usually develops slowly over time and is more common as we get older. When people first start experiencing these symptoms, they often don't see a doctor right away. Instead, many might visit their local pharmacy to buy over-the-counter painkillers or remedies.

This study is looking at how pharmacists and physiotherapists can work together to help people with early knee OA. Because your local pharmacist is easy to get to, they could be a great first point of contact. This study wants to see if using the skills of both pharmacists and physiotherapists can give people the best support. There isn't a cure for OA, so treatments usually focus on helping you understand and manage your condition, doing exercises, and using medication when needed. Learning how to manage your OA yourself is very important for feeling better and staying active.

The researchers believe that by having pharmacists identify people with early knee pain and then working with physiotherapists, patients can get the right advice and support sooner. This collaborative approach means you might get help with exercises and self-management strategies from a physiotherapist, alongside medication advice from your pharmacist, all aimed at helping you live better with knee OA.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new way to help people with early knee pain.
It combines the expertise of pharmacists and physiotherapists.
The aim is to improve how people manage their knee osteoarthritis.
Focus is on education, self-management, and exercise.
You might get referred to a physiotherapist if you join this study.
Participation involves questionnaires about your health and knee pain.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be 50 years old or older. You should have been experiencing pain, aching, or stiffness in or around your knee regularly for at least one month.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. These include if you've had knee surgery before, had a recent major knee injury in the last six months, or if you can't or won't be able to attend physiotherapy sessions. You also wouldn't be eligible if you've been diagnosed with other conditions like inflammatory arthritis or fibromyalgia, or if you're unable to speak or read English.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 50 years old or older?
Have you had knee pain, aching, or stiffness regularly for at least a month?
Have you not had knee surgery before?
Have you not had a major knee injury in the last 6 months?
Are you able and willing to attend physiotherapy sessions?
Can you speak and read English?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, the first step involves a pharmacist asking you to complete some questionnaires, either in the pharmacy or online. These questions will cover details about your knee pain, your general health, any medications you take, and your lifestyle. The pharmacist will also be there to answer any questions you have about your condition or treatment options.

After this, you would be randomly placed into one of two groups. One group will receive 'usual care', which means you'd continue to manage your knee pain as you normally would. The other group, called the 'intervention' group, would receive a referral to see a physiotherapist for their expert advice and support, alongside continued guidance from the pharmacist. The study aims to compare how these two groups fare over time to see if the combined pharmacist-physiotherapist approach is more helpful.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of receiving expert advice and support for your knee pain, potentially learning better ways to manage your condition through physiotherapy and pharmacy guidance. For those in the intervention group, this means access to a physiotherapist you might not otherwise see. There are no major risks associated with participating, as the interventions involve standard care practices like medication advice and physiotherapy. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Mint Health & Drugs Festival Place Sherwood Park
Verified postcode
Sherwood Park, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It's often linked to getting older and can affect any joint, but often the knees.

Why are pharmacists involved?

Many people go to their local pharmacy first when they have knee pain. Pharmacists can offer advice on medicines and help identify people who might benefit from more support.

What does a physiotherapist do for knee pain?

Physiotherapists can teach you exercises to strengthen your muscles, improve flexibility, and help you understand how to manage your knee pain through activity and lifestyle changes.

Will I have to pay for anything?

The study details don't mention any costs for participation. Your involvement would not lead to you paying for study-related assessments or interventions.

What is 'usual care'?

Usual care means you would continue to manage your knee pain as you normally would, based on what your doctor or pharmacist usually advises, without the specific new intervention from this study.

How to find out more

Allyson Jones

cajones@ualberta.ca 780-492-2020 Official trial record

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