Chinese guidelines for the rehabilitation treatment of knee osteoarthritis: An CSPMR evidence-based practice guideline

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common degenerative joint disease in China, causing a huge economic burden on patients, families, and society. Standardized KOA rehabilitation treatment is an important means to prevent and treat the disease and promote the development of high-quality medical services. This guideline is updated on the basis of the 2016 and 2019 editions.

Methods

Clinical questions regarding rehabilitation assessment and treatment were selected through clinical questions screening and deconstruction, and multiple rounds of Delphi questionnaire consultation. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used as the theoretical framework, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method was used to grade the quality of evidence and recommendations.

Results

The reporting of this guideline followed the standard of Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT). Taking into account patients' preferences and values and the needs of Chinese clinical practice, a total of 11 clinical questions and 28 recommendations were established. The clinical questions were grouped into two categories: KOA assessment (body function, body structure, activity and participation, quality of life, and environmental factors and clinical outcomes assessment, resulting in 9 recommendations) and KOA treatment (health education, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic modalities, occupational therapy, assistive devices, and regenerative rehabilitation approaches, resulting in 19 recommendations).

Conclusion

This is the first evidence-based guideline for KOA rehabilitation in China utilizing the ICF framework. This guideline provides key guidance for developing systematic, standardized, and precise rehabilitation protocols for KOA across various healthcare settings.