Project

Enhancing physical activity requires voluntary action and is therefore often associated with a lack of adherence. In patients with knee osteoarthritis, pain and joint stiffness are additional barriers to regular physical acitvity. Supervised individualized exercise therapy and self-management techniques may improve adherence to exercise. Therefore, a self-regulation program is needed to facilitate adherence to physical activity and exercise. Using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as a theoretical backdrop, this project aims to develop and evaluate a theory-based psychological adherence program (PrevOP-PAP), conducted in addition to the main medical trial, to strengthen long-term maintenance of physical activity throughout a 24-month period. It is hypothesized that increased physical activity is a behavioral predictor of a reduction in knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

Project lead (subproject SPP7): Univ.-Prof. Dr. Nina Knoll & Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ralf Schwarzer

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)

Further information: Research Network Osteoarthrose-OVERLOAD-PrevOP

Publications

Lorbeer, N., Schwarzer, R., Keller, J., Di Maio, S., Domke, A., Armbrecht, G., Börst, H., Martus, P., Ertel, W., Luszczynska, A., & Knoll, N. (2024). Volitional processes in changing physical activity: A randomized controlled trial with individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Health Psychology. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0001453

Lorbeer, N.*, Knoll, N.*, Keller, J., Domke, A., Di Maio S., Armbrecht, G., Börst, H., Martus, P., Ertel, W., & Schwarzer, R. (2023). Enhancing physical activity and reducing symptoms of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial of the PrevOP-Psychological Adherence Program. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 24, 550. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06661-x * Shared first authorship

Di Maio, S., Keller, J., Job, V., Felsenberg, D., Ertel, W., Schwarzer, R., & Knoll, N. (2020). Health Demands Moderate the Link between Willpower Beliefs and Physical Activity in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27(4), 406-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09865-w

Knoll, N., Hohl, D.H., Motter, S., Keller, J., Lange, D., Felsenberg, D., Martus, P., Ertel, W., & Schwarzer, R. (2018). Facilitating physical activity and reducing symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol of a randomzied controlled trial to test a theory-based PrevOP-psychological adherence program (PrevOP-PAP). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 19, 221. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-018-2158-8