Table 3

Change within groups, and difference in change between groups (adjusted for baseline value of outcome, gender, and physiotherapist clustering), for continuous outcomes, using multiply imputed data

Mean (SD) change within groupsDifference in change between groups
Baseline minus month 6Baseline minus month 12Baseline to month 6Baseline to month 12
Existing service
(n=88)
Exercise advice
and support
(n=87)
Existing service
(n=88)
Exercise advice and support
(n=87)
Mean difference
(95% CI)
P valueMean difference
(95% CI)
P value
Primary outcomes
Overall average knee pain (NRS)*1.9 (2.3)2.5 (2.0)1.8 (2.4)2.1 (2.2)0.7 (0.0 to 1.4)0.0570.3 (–0.4 to 1.0)0.44
Physical function (WOMAC)*5.8 (10.5)10.8 (9.2)7.8 (11.0)11.1 (9.8)4.7 (1.0 to 8.4)0.0133.1 (–0.6 to 6.7)0.097
Secondary outcomes
Pain on daily activities (WOMAC)*1.7 (3.1)3.0 (2.5)2.0 (3.0)2.9 (2.9)1.2 (0.2 to 2.1)0.0140.8 (–0.2 to 1.7)0.11
Average pain on walking (NRS)*1.2 (2.6)2.3 (2.5)1.7 (2.4)2.0 (2.3)1.0 (0.1 to 1.8)0.0230.2 (–0.6 to 1.1)0.59
Self-efficacy for pain (ASES)†−0.3 (2.3)−1.4 (2.1)−0.5 (2.5)−1.4 (2.0)−1.2 (–1.8 to 0.6)<0.001−1.0 (–1.7 to 0.4)<0.001
Self-efficacy for function (ASES)†−0.6 (1.7)−0.8 (1.5)−0.6 (1.6)−0.8 (1.6)−0.3 (–0.7 to 0.2)0.25−0.2 (–0.6 to 0.3)0.39
Fear of movement (BFMS)†1.1 (3.5)1.3 (3.6)0.9 (3.4)1.0 (3.3)0.3 (–0.7 to 1.3)0.570.1 (–0.9 to 1.2)0.84
Physical activity (PASE)†−11 (85)−20 (75)8 (87)−20 (97)−12 (−41 to 17)0.43−31 (–60 to 1)0.044
Barriers to physical activity (BtPAS)*0.8 (10.5)1.5 (10.4)1.4 (12.1)2.6 (12.8)0.6 (–2.9 to 4.0)0.761.1 (–2.7 to 4.9)0.57
Benefits of physical activity (BoPAS)†0.4 (8.4)0.7 (11.7)0.8 (8.8)0.3 (12.2)0.3 (–2.5 to 3.0)0.86−0.5 (–3.2 to 2.3)0.75
AQoL II†−0.0 (0.1)−0.1 (0.1)−0.1 (0.1)−0.1 (0.1)0.0 (–0.1 to 0.0)0.630.00 (0.0 to 0.1)0.85
  • *For change within groups, positive changes indicate improvement. For difference in change between groups, positive differences favour exercise advice and support.

  • †For change within groups, negative changes indicate improvement. For difference in change between groups, negative differences favour exercise advice and support.

  • AQoL, Assessment of Quality of Life instrument; ASES, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale; BFMS, Brief Fear of Movement Scale; BoPAS, Benefits of Physical Activity Scale; BtPAS, Barriers to Physical activity Scale; NRS, Numerical Rating Scale; PASE, Physical Activity Scale; WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.