Physical activity for overweight patients with knee osteoarthritis: evaluating benefits on quality of life and cardiovascular capacities after a biking rehabilitation protocol ; Mise en place et évaluation d'une filière d’activité physique adaptée pour les patients en surpoids atteints de gonarthrose, coordonnée entre le CHU de Nice et le réseau de ville du territoire azuréen

Background: knee OsteoArthritis (OA) is a frequent chronic disease creating major disabilities. Physical activity (PA) has a key role in the treatment, especially for patients experiencing physical deconditioning and overweight. Yet, its implementation is not as widespread as hoped because of several barriers from general practitioners (GP) and patients themselves. Purpose: this study aims to assess the impact on quality of life of a personalized rehabilitation program for patients with knee OA and overweight; and promote a partnership between the hospital, general practitioners and the regional health care regarding physical activity. Methods: an observational, prospective and monocentric study was conducted between January 2022 and March 2023 in Nice with patients who underwent 20 sessions of aerobic rehabilitation on a cycle ergometer with a physiotherapist. Their quality of life as a primary endpoint was assessed by the Short-Form general health survey (SF-12) before and after the program. As secondary endpoints were assessed: pain through a numeric pain scale, body mass index (BMI), amount of physical activity per week and the exercise stress test parameters, as well as the continuation or not of PA after the program. Results: a total of 33 patients were included and 18 were analyzed. Results after 3 months of aerobic rehabilitation showed a highly significant outcome on physical and psychological quality of life. The global exercise capacity increased significantly by 16,9%, and the physical deconditioning ratio improved by 7,6%. Results showed a significant 1,07 points decrease in the BMI index. On the other hand, there was no significant decrease on the pain scale. About 93% of the patients who finished the program continued PA on a regular basis, but not through the programs existing locally. Conclusion: this study shows that such a program seems life-enhancing for patients with knee osteoarthritis and overweight. Not only does it improve quality of life and cardiovascular capacities, but it encourages ...