Slightly less knee pain
- Published in
- JAMA 2022
- People studied
- 823
In a community trial of 823 adults with knee osteoarthritis, a diet and exercise programme brought 8% weight loss and slightly less knee pain after 18 months.
- Checked against
- PubMed 36511925
- Published in
- JAMA 2022
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
823 adults aged 50 or older with knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity took part. They were randomly given an 18-month diet and exercise programme run in community settings, or a comparison programme without diet and exercise (an attention control). The programme group lost about 7.7 kg (8%), against 1.7 kg (2%). Knee pain was a little lower (5.0 against 5.5 on a scale of 0 to 20), and 5 of 7 other outcomes were better.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial
- People studied
- 823
- How long
- 18 months
- Compared with
- an attention control group (no diet and exercise programme)
- Main result
- Knee pain slightly lower: 5.0 against 5.5 on a 0 to 20 scale.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
The difference in pain was small, below the 1.6 points set as clearly noticeable, and the authors call its clinical importance uncertain. More study-related injuries, muscle strains and falls happened in the programme group.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on joints
- Less load on the kneeLong-term or observational studies · Messier et al., Arthritis Rheum 2005
- Lower risk of knee arthritisLong-term or observational studies · Felson et al., Ann Intern Med 1992
- Easier movementRandomised trials · Christensen et al., Ann Rheum Dis 2007
- Less knee painRandomised trials · Messier et al., JAMA 2013
- Slightly less knee painRandomised trials · Messier et al., JAMA 2022
- Better mobilityRandomised trials · Rejeski et al., NEJM 2012
- More weight lost, more reliefSmall or uncontrolled studies · Atukorala et al., Arthritis Care Res 2016
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