Arthritis is the third most prevalent long-term health condition in Australia affecting more than 12 per cent of Australians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no cure for arthritis, with treatment options largely focused on alleviating pain, including pain relief medication, arthroscopy or joint replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia is at the forefront of clinical research and trials, which is helping the community better manage their arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leading rheumatology clinician researcher Professor David Hunter and Arthritis Australia CEO Jonathan Smithers say it\u2019s important for people to know about their arthritis and how to manage it, and be across studies and trials they may be able to take part in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EPIPHA-KNEE trial<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although sounding contradictory to people with joint pain, physical activity has well established benefits for knee osteoarthritis. However, 90% of people with osteoarthritis don\u2019t meet physical activity guideline recommendations or walk regularly for exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To better assess the benefits of exercise, the Epipha-knee trial involving nearly 200 people will investigate physiotherapist-led walking, strengthening, and education programs. One group of subjects will receive additional education about osteoarthritis pain and activity to improve their knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trial aims to determine whether the addition of physiotherapist-delivered pain science education is more effective than simply undertaking the individualised program alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full details and how to register:<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n SCUlpTOR study<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Hunter is leading a 440-person trial into the potential modification of osteoarthritis using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in people over 40 with osteoarthritis in their knees, and who have lived with moderate plus pain for several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australian stem cell company Cynata Therapeutics is supplying the MSCs for the trial and CEO Dr Ross Macdonald says the trial is one of the world\u2019s largest investigating the use of stem cells for osteoarthritis. \u201cIt\u2019s a gold-standard study: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial designed to discover whether stem cell injections in the knee improve symptoms and slow disease progression to improve underlying disease and therefore quality of life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full details and registration: <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unsupervised online yoga<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We did a lot of it in lockdown and according to a 212-person trial, a 12-week online unsupervised yoga program improved knee stiffness and quality of life. However, the yoga didn\u2019t improve knee pain, nor was it sustained at 24 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, those with osteoarthritis of the knee should still consider other forms of pain management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n