Effectiveness of care delivery models for knee osteoarthritis in primary healthcare settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors' conclusion
Care delivery models produced small improvements in pain and function, but these did not reach prespecified MCIDs. There was little to no difference in HRQoL.
Study context
- Population
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) in primary health care settings; Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1 January 2010–28 June 2026
- Participants
- 2,944 participants15 RCTs
- Comparison
- Care delivery models for knee OA vs usual care in primary health care
- Outcome
- Pain, function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
Methodological detailsRoB 2, GRADE, Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Delivery Arrangements taxonomy
- RoB 2
- GRADE
- EPOC Delivery Arrangements taxonomy
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Care delivery models vs Usual careEstimate (95% CI)
Moderate certainty
SMD (pain) −0.40(−0.63 to −0.16)
Moderate certainty
SMD (function) −0.26(−0.39 to −0.14)
Little to no difference; high certainty
SMD (HRQoL) 0.00(−0.10 to 0.09)
- Back-translated pain effect vs prespecified MCID (NRS points)
- 0.68 vs 2
- Back-translated function effect vs prespecified MCID (WOMAC Function points)
- 4.2 vs 12
Further pooled results
Exploratory subgroups incorporating information and communication technology (ICT)
- Suggested benefit, but each included only two or three trials
- Exploratory
Original publication
Effectiveness of care delivery models for knee osteoarthritis in primary healthcare settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Published 4 September 2026. doi:10.
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