Logo Living Systematic Review Osteoarthritis Financially supported by: Logo IGPTR Logo Physiotherapie Tschopp und Hilfiker Brig Glis Work in Progress Version No. 0.1.80.62. Updated: 2025 November 19 10:16
Science Slam Physiotherapy-Congress Basel 2025 (click here for video on youtube). PLOS ONE (13 Nov 2025): A mixed-methods study from Saudi Arabia finds that 90% of adults with knee osteoarthritis have very low physical activity levels, largely due to cultural, psychological, and logistical barriers, highlighting the need for patient-centred education and improved access to physiotherapy. (click here for free article). Frontiers in Public Health (28 Oct 2025): A meta-analysis of 13 RCTs (n=701) shows Tai Chi significantly improves pain, stiffness, function and physical health in knee osteoarthritis, with long-term (>16 weeks), three-times-weekly practice most effective for pain and function. (click here for free article). BMJ (2025): In a network meta-analysis of 217 RCTs (n=15 684), aerobic exercise emerged as the most effective and safe modality for improving pain, function, gait performance, and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis. (click here for free article). BMJ (2025): Editorial argues that although aerobic exercise may be particularly effective for knee osteoarthritis, priority should be on personalised, community-supported plans that help people sustain any suitable exercise over the long term. In a randomized trial of 84 patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis, supervised exercise alone was as good as or better than platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections (with or without exercise) for pain, function, and quality of life over 24 weeks, leading the authors to **recommend exercise and advise against PRP**.
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