Group Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis

(GroupPT Trial)

Overseen By Caitlin B Kappler, MSW

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Substantial fall risk, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores group physical therapy as a treatment for veterans with knee osteoarthritis, a joint condition causing pain and stiffness. The researchers aim to determine the best way to implement and sustain these therapy sessions at various VA facilities. Two approaches are being tested: one focuses on foundational support, while the other includes additional efforts to ensure equitable access and outcomes. Veterans diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who can safely participate in group exercises may be suitable candidates for this trial.

As an unphased trial, this study provides veterans the opportunity to contribute to improving access to effective therapies.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this Group Physical Therapy Program is safe for veterans with knee osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that group physical therapy is safe for people with knee osteoarthritis. In studies, patients who participated in group physical therapy experienced fewer problems and better outcomes than those who received other treatments, such as certain injections. These patients reported less pain and improved knee mobility over time.

Other studies have also found that this therapy reduces pain and disability while enhancing balance and quality of life. No major safety issues have been reported, indicating that the therapy is generally well-tolerated. Overall, group physical therapy is a safe and effective way to manage knee osteoarthritis. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the group physical therapy approach for osteoarthritis because it offers a unique, community-driven way to manage the condition. Unlike standard treatments that often focus on medication or individual physical therapy sessions, this approach emphasizes peer support and shared learning, which can enhance motivation and adherence. The Reach+Equity bundle goes a step further by incorporating strategies to overcome barriers and promote health equity, ensuring that all individuals have access to and benefit equally from the program. This holistic approach not only targets physical improvement but also aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

What evidence suggests that Group Physical Therapy is effective for knee osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that Group Physical Therapy (PT) can reduce pain and improve movement for people with knee osteoarthritis. Studies have found that participants in a Group PT program experience similar improvements in pain and movement as those in individual therapy. One study found that both types of therapy significantly reduced the impact of pain on daily life. This trial will compare two approaches: the Foundational Support arm, which uses the Replicating Effective Program (REP) implementation strategy, and the Reach+Equity Bundle arm, which may offer extra benefits by focusing on fair access to healthcare and removing obstacles to care. Overall, Group PT has strong potential to enhance the quality of life for those with knee osteoarthritis. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kelli Dominick Allen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for veterans with knee osteoarthritis who can attend group physical therapy sessions in person or via telehealth. Eligible sites must have space for group sessions and at least two outpatient PT clinicians. Patients with a high fall risk or unsafe health conditions for group exercise are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My site can host group sessions or do visits through video calls.

I have been diagnosed with knee pain due to arthritis.

My clinic has 2 physical therapists available for group sessions.

Exclusion Criteria

Site will be ineligible to participate if they are already conducting a group physical therapy class for patients with knee OA

I do not have a high risk of falling or health issues that make group exercise unsafe.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation

Implementation of Group PT with foundational REP versus foundational REP and Reach+Equity over a 12-month period

12 months

6 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Group Physical Therapy Program

Trial Overview The study tests two implementation strategies: Foundational Support and Reach+Equity Bundle, to implement Group Physical Therapy (GroupPT) in VA facilities. It aims to refine metrics for equity and impact within an effectiveness-implementation hybrid framework.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Reach+Equity Bundle Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Reach+Equity bundle will include the same activities as foundational support plus the Reach+Equity bundle activities which include: 1) external facilitation (provide an outside perspective to help sites identify barriers, develop effective strategies, and navigate complex change processes particularly through the lens of achieving equitable reach); 2) equity in implementation toolkit (guide that supports awareness and consideration of health equity during the implementation process); and 3) equity-focused data-driven monitoring (inform progress regarding equitable reach-related goals).

Group II: Foundational Support Active Control 1 Intervention

Foundational Support uses the Replicating Effective Program (REP) implementation strategy and includes 5 elements that were developed and tested in our prior Function QUERI work: shareholder engagement, Group PT toolkit, Online shared resources (SharePoint) access for clinical program training materials, data reports to assist sites with tracking their data, and Diffusion Networks to promote peer-to-peer sharing and implementation support.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07215572

Implementing a Group Physical Therapy Program for ... The Reach+Equity bundle will include: 1) external facilitation (provide an outside perspective to help sites identify barriers, develop ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12492051/

Implementation of Group Physical Therapy for Knee ... There were clinically meaningful improvements in patient-level effectiveness outcomes in both arms in PROMIS pain interference scores and in ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-osteoarthritis-knee-9-2026-f359f

Group Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis (GroupPT Trial) Trial Overview The study tests two implementation strategies: Foundational Support and Reach+Equity Bundle, to implement Group Physical Therapy ...

4. implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s43058-023-00502-7

Group physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a ... The Group PT program has strong potential to become a standard offering for PT, improving function and pain-related outcomes for patients with ...

5. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-020-3079-x

Implementation of a group physical therapy program for ... A previous randomized clinical trial found that a Group Physical Therapy (PT) program for knee osteoarthritis yielded similar improvements in pain and function.

6. nejm.org nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1905877

Physical Therapy versus Glucocorticoid Injection for ... Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent physical therapy had less pain and functional disability at 1 year than patients who received an ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8443150/

Group physical therapy for veterans with knee osteoarthritis This manuscript describes a randomized clinical trial of a group-based physical therapy program that can potentially extend services to more patients with knee ...

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05282927

Implementing Group Physical Therapy (PT) for Veterans With ... The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure.

9. jospt.org jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/josptopen.2025.0167

Rural Access to Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis ... Data Sharing: Deidentified outcomes data at baseline and post-treatment are available by ... diagnosis of osteoarthritis, baseline outcome measurement, initial PT ...

10. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1746068925000434

A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL CONTROL TRIAL The outcome measures are pain, Knee Flexion ROM, disability, balance, and quality of life, which were measured at baseline, three and six weeks.