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About the project
Arthritis is common among older adults due to the gradual deterioration of joints over time, resulting in pain and swelling around the joints that limit movement. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the second most prevalent chronic condition in New Brunswick (NB), and residents lack access to a publicly funded prevention and management program. With a growing aging population, New Brunswickers face long surgical waitlists for knee and hip replacements. In response, the Horizon Health Network implemented the Good Life with Osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®) program in seven Horizon Health facilities across NB. This non-surgical intervention aims to help patients living with severe OA improve pain symptoms, improve quality of life and delay surgical intervention.
Conclusions and lessons learned
- Overall, the results of the GLA:D® project demonstrated that program participants experienced reduced pain and improved functional capacity, suggesting that this non-surgical approach is effective in enhancing the quality of life for seniors living with OA.
- The high satisfaction with the intervention and participants’ decision to opt out of surgery suggest that patients are likely to prefer less invasive methods.
- The observed higher improvements in functional mobility among younger patients highlight the need for timely intervention, as delays in treatment could potentially reduce functional gains. Findings equally suggest the need for tailored treatment for specific OA types.
Recommendations
To further understand the impact of the GLA:D® program on seniors, some additional research questions have been identified for future research:
- Are there differences in wait times for hip and knee joint surgeries before and after the implementation of GLA:D® in New Brunswick, and do these differences vary between urban and rural settings?
- How do the frequency and duration of continuing GLA:D® exercises and education sessions impact sustained improvements? Are patients in New Brunswick more prepared for surgery after participating in GLA:D®?
- Does the knowledge gained in the program enable patients to experience shorter hospital stays after surgery?
To learn more read the complete project findings (PDF 146 KB)