Persuasive technology: A paradigm-shift to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve joint and overall health in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

New personalized device to reduce sedentary behaviour in osteoarthritis

Millions of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are afraid to move because their knees are painful. They are often unable to meet the physical activity guidelines and are increasingly sedentary. Increased sedentary behaviour can have detrimental consequences on health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, research on interventions to reduce sedentary behaviours, especially personalized interventions, is limited. Dr. Rebecca Moyer aims to develop and test a new smartphone-based device that will recommend personalized strategies for reducing sedentary time. It will also monitor and revise recommendations based on device use and encourage people with knee OA to move in a safe and achievable way. The technology will be pilot tested to assess whether it is user-friendly and improves sedentary time, pain, mobility and overall health. This research aims to produce a tailored and accessible intervention to help manage knee OA.