Weekly group spin classes could prove more beneficial than physiotherapy for people with hip osteoarthritis, according to new research. The approach could also be more cost-effective for the NHS and help tackle waiting times for physiotherapy treatment.
Hip osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in the hip breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. The condition is estimated to affect about 3.2 million people in the UK.
Study compares cycling to physiotherapy
Experts from Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset compared usual physiotherapy care with an eight-week exercise and education programme called Chain (cycling against hip pain). The study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, included 211 people with roughly half assigned to each group.
The Chain group attended weekly education sessions from a physiotherapist lasting around 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute session of static cycling led by a gym instructor. Researchers measured treatment effects using the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, which assesses how hip problems affect daily activities.
Cycling shows superior outcomes
The study found those who completed the cycling classes had "statistically significant improvement in patient-reported function after treatment". Researchers said the method "showed superior outcomes compared with usual physiotherapy care, and the feasibility of delivering a low-cost, community-based intervention within the NHS was shown".
However, they stress the "longer-term benefits and broader generalisability warrant further investigation". Tom Wainwright, a professor of orthopaedics at Bournemouth University and a physiotherapist at University Hospitals Dorset, said the group approach was more efficient than individual treatment.
Cost savings for NHS highlighted
"For the time it takes to treat one patient using standard physiotherapy, we can treat multiple patients in a group session and provide them with better outcomes," Wainwright said. "This has proved to be more cost-effective than standard treatment and so we hope this will contribute to reducing NHS waiting times for physiotherapy treatment in the future."
Professor Rob Middleton, of Bournemouth University and an orthopaedic surgeon at University Hospitals Dorset, highlighted potential savings from avoiding surgery. "Hip replacements cost the NHS over £6,000 per patient, so avoiding surgery for hip problems reduces the burden on the NHS, saves money, and provides better outcomes for patients," he said.
Programme launched nationally
Dr Peter Wilson, chief medical officer at University Hospitals Dorset, said finding alternative treatments could help reduce waiting times and financial demand on NHS services. "We are an ageing population and increasingly we are seeing more patients with osteoarthritis that need either surgery or physiotherapy," he said.
The Chain intervention was first launched in 2013 and patients who wish to take part are referred to University Hospitals Dorset from their GP. To bolster access nationally, experts from Bournemouth University have developed a virtual course on their education app, allowing people to follow the programme from their home or local gym.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
