Author: Kelli D Allen1,2,3, Kirsten R Ambrose4,5, Staja Q Booker6, Ashley N Buck4,7, Katie F Huffman4,5
Affiliation:
1 Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7280, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. kdallen@email.unc.edu.
2 Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. kdallen@email.unc.edu.
3 Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. kdallen@email.unc.edu.
4 Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7280, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
5 Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
6 College of Nursing, University of Florida, PO Box 100197, Gainesville, FL, USA.
7 Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Conference/Journal: Curr Rheumatol Rep
Date published: 2025 Feb 19
Other:
Volume ID: 27 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 19 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s11926-025-01185-w. , Word Count: 151
Purpose of review:
To summarize the state of research and recent studies on non-pharmacological therapies for osteoarthritis (OA).
Recent findings:
High intensity interval training is an exercise-based intervention with some new, promising findings for people with OA. Among mind-body therapies, Tai Chi has the strongest evidence base to date. Diet + exercise has the strongest evidence for weight management in OA, with recent research focusing on maintenance of weight loss and non-calorie restrictive dietary patterns. Among psychological interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has the strongest evidence base, with some support for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. There is a clear role for non-pharmacological therapies for OA. Future research should address the effectiveness of interventions for which evidence is still limited, strategies for maintenance, heterogeneity of patients' responses to these therapies, and implementation in clinical and community settings.
Keywords: Exercise; Non-pharmacological; Osteoarthritis; Psychological intervention; Weight management.
PMID: 39969767 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-025-01185-w
