Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40061841›Full record

ArticleOsteoarthritis and cartilage open2025

Perceived barriers and facilitators to exercise adherence in osteoarthritis: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

Benedetto Giardulli, Davide Marazzi, Alessandro Nespoli, Gaia Leuzzi, Andrea Dell'Isola, Yeliz Prior, Simone Battista

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Osteoarthritis and cartilage open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Benedetto GiardulliDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus of Savona, Savona, Italy.
Davide MarazziDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus of Savona, Savona, Italy.
Alessandro NespoliDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus of Savona, Savona, Italy.
Gaia LeuzziDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Campus of Savona, Savona, Italy.
Andrea Dell'IsolaDepartment of Clinical Science Lund, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Orthopaedics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Yeliz PriorSchool of Health and Society, Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK.
Simone BattistaSchool of Health and Society, Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: Exercise is a first-line intervention for osteoarthritis (OA). However, exercise adherence remains low, and existing studies exploring factors influencing adherence have yielded inconclusive results based on quantitative data. This study aims to synthesise qualitative studies focused on the perceived facilitators and barriers affecting exercise adherence in individuals with OA. Design: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies was conducted. Relevant articles were sourced from MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychInfo until November 2024. Studies focused on adults (≥16 years) with hip or knee OA who had participated in exercise programmes to manage OA. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Data analysis followed Thematic Synthesis by Thomas & Harden to identify descriptive and analytical themes. The confidence of the evidence was evaluated through the Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual). Results: A total of 21 studies involving 458 participants were included. From seven descriptive themes, three analytical themes were developed: (i) Mind-Body Connection, (ii) Social Support Systems, and (iii) Environmental Enablers. These themes underscore the importance of personal beliefs, experiences, and mindsets, alongside social and environmental factors, in promoting or hindering exercise adherence. Conclusion: This study highlights the multifaceted cognitive, social, and environmental factors influencing exercise adherence in individuals with OA. The findings suggest that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach is insufficient for promoting sustained exercise engagement. Future quantitative research should build upon these insights to develop tailored strategies for enhancing exercise adherence in people with OA.

Indexed as

Physical therapy modalitiesPhysical therapy specialtyQualitative researchTreatment adherence and compliance

Identifiers

PMID40061841
PMCPMC11889972

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.