Impact of education protocols and physiotherapeutic management in improving pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yashasvi Parmar; Sunita Sharma

doi:10.1016/j.knee.2026.104505

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Impact of education protocols and physiotherapeutic management in improving pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yashasvi Parmar·Sunita Sharma

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition of the knee joint and the major cause of disability globally, with an increased economic burden on healthcare. Patient education (PE) has emerged as a primary care treatment approach in chronic conditions. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PE along with exercise in reducing pain, alleviating symptoms, improving activities of daily living, and promoting quality of life among individuals with knee osteoarthritis. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted across three electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PEDro. The search was limited to between 2020 and 2025, and included only randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the PEDro Scale were used to evaluate the methodological evidence. Statistical synthesis was analysed using mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) under a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight trials were included, of which four studies evaluated the four Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) domains, and three studies evaluated the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and KOOS activities of daily living domain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. For the meta-analysis, we assessed all five domains of the KOOS scale and VAS. Statistical analysis of the studies showed a significant reduction in pain (VAS) for the PE along with exercise group (MD = -3.28, 95% CI (-4.85; -1.70), and I2 = 69.6%), but there was no significant improvement in the domains of the KOOS scale. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of PE along with exercise in reducing pain. It might not be more effective when compared with exercise therapy as a standalone intervention in improving ADLs, QoL, and symptoms, but it has demonstrated some degree of effectiveness. It additionally promotes self-management and self-efficacy as a physiotherapeutic rehabilitation treatment intervention.

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Humans Osteoarthritis, Knee Activities of Daily Living Quality of Life Patient Education as Topic Physical Therapy Modalities Pain Management Pain Measurement Activities of daily living Knee osteoarthritis Pain management Quality of life Self-management Journal Article Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Review

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Yashasvi Parmar, Sunita Sharma. 2026-06-04. Impact of education protocols and physiotherapeutic management in improving pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2026.104505

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Activities of Daily Living subject Humans subject Journal Article subject Journal Article; Systematic Review; Meta-Analysis; Review resource Meta-Analysis subject Pain Management subject Pain Measurement subject Patient Education as Topic subject Physical Therapy Modalities subject Systematic reviews study

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