Riassunto dello studio

One hundred and twenty-four adults with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA) were randomized to receive either a 4-week interactive eLearning program (n=62) or an electronic OA information pamphlet (n=62). The primary outcomes were changes in OA knowledge (OAKS) and pain self-efficacy (ASES pain) over 5 weeks. Secondary outcomes included exercise self-efficacy, fear of movement, OA illness perceptions, physical activity levels, and use of various self-management behaviors. Outcomes were assessed at 5 and 13 weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed that eLearning produced significantly greater improvements in OA knowledge at both 5 and 13 weeks but had no effect on pain self-efficacy. Small benefits in exercise self-efficacy, illness perceptions, fear of movement, and weight-loss behaviors also favored eLearning. These findings suggest that a structured eLearning course can effectively enhance OA knowledge, though its impact on self-efficacy and behavior change is more limited.