Exploring experiences of people with knee osteoarthritis who received a physiotherapist‐delivered dietary weight loss and exercise intervention: a mixed methods study

ObjectiveExplore the experiences of people with knee osteoarthritis who received a very low energy diet (VLED) and exercise program from a physiotherapist.MethodsMixed methods study involving questionnaires (n=42) and semi‐structured interviews (n=22) with randomized control trial participants with knee osteoarthritis who had received a 6‐month physiotherapist‐delivered VLED weight loss and exercise intervention. Questionnaires measured participant satisfaction, and perceptions about physiotherapist's skills/knowledge in delivery of the dietary intervention (measured on 5–7 point Likert scales). Interviews explored participant's experiences and were analysed based on the principles of reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsQuestionnaire response: 90%. Participants were satisfied with the program (95%), confident their physiotherapist had the required skills (84%) and knowledge (79%) to deliver the dietary intervention, felt comfortable talking to the physiotherapist about weight (74%), and would recommend others see a physiotherapist for the intervention they undertook (71%). Four themes were developed from the interviews: 1) one‐stop‐shop of exercise and diet; 2) physiotherapist‐delivered weight loss works (unsure initially; successfully lost weight); 3) physiotherapists knowledge and skills (exercise is forte; most thought physiotherapists had the necessary weight loss skills/knowledge, but some disagreed); 4) physiotherapists have a role in weight loss (physiotherapists are intelligent, credible, and trustworthy; specific training in weight loss necessary).ConclusionThis study provides, to our knowledge, the first documented perspectives from people with osteoarthritis who have received a physiotherapist‐delivered weight loss intervention. Findings suggest physiotherapists may have a role in delivering a protocolised dietary intervention for some people with knee osteoarthritis with overweight and obesity.