An occupational therapist-led approach could provide patients suffering from knee and hip osteoarthritis with the chance to lead more active lives and even enhance their overall health, a study has suggested,

Published online and due to appear in the October issue of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, the study was led by staff at US institution the University of Michigan Health System.

It found patients who took part in activity strategy training along with regular exercise increased their physical activity more than those who only took part in exercise and health education sessions.

Lead author Susan Murphy said: "Occupational therapy is really the missing link in promoting wellness of people with hip and knee osteoarthritis."

She added: "Most people with osteoarthritis want to be active, but often find that there are personal or physical barriers in the way. For instance, people with osteoarthritis often deal with pain and fatigue, which makes engaging in regular physical activity more difficult."

As such, the pilot scheme used activity strategy training in surroundings such as housing facilities where such barriers could be identified and potential solutions examined.

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