Evidence mapPaperPMID 41559644Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2026

Experiences and perceptions of a 12-week combined exercise and dietary supplement program for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative focus group study.

Tina Čeh, Jernej Završnik, Nejc Šarabon, Mirko Prosen

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06269549 (Effectiveness of Kinesiological and Dietary Supplement Intervention in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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.

NCT06269549 naactive not recruitingnot on this map

Effectiveness of Kinesiological and Dietary Supplement Intervention in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of PrimorskaRan2024 to 2026Enrolled93ConditionsOsteoarthritis, KneeArmsNon-training Real Dietary Supplement (G1), Training Placebo Dietary Supplement (G2), Training Real Dietary Supplement (G3)
3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tina ČehCommunity Healthcare Center dr. Adolf Drolc, Maribor, Slovenia. tina.ceh@zd-mb.si.
Jernej ZavršnikCommunity Healthcare Center dr. Adolf Drolc, Maribor, Slovenia.
Nejc ŠarabonFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia.
Mirko ProsenFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExercise program and dietary supplements are commonly used in the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and have both been shown to reduce pain and improve physical function. Combining these approaches may offer additive benefits or introduce specific adherence challenges from the patient perspective. The combination of structured exercise with dietary supplements remains underexplored, especially through qualitative approaches. This study aims to investigate the lived experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and motivational factors among participants of a targeted exercise program combined with dietary supplementation.

methodsA qualitative study design with three focus group was used to explore participants overall experiences, motivational factors, and barriers to participation immediately after program. The sample included 16 older adults with KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3, 14 women and 2 men). Two moderators facilitated each focus group using topic guide. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsSix main themes were identified: (1) recognized effects of exercise, (2) motivators and barriers to exercise, (3) group exercise and its impact on daily life, (4) recognized health care limitations, (5) experiences and practices of dietary supplement use, and (6) perspectives on program continuation and expansion.

conclusionsParticipants' experiences with the combined exercise and dietary supplementation program for KOA highlighted the importance of social support, professional guidance, and self-motivation. Barriers included physical limitations, time constraints, and psychological challenges, while reported benefits included reduced pain, improved mood, and enhanced social engagement. Participants' tendency to perceive exercise and supplementation as separate components indicates that, in practice, combined interventions may function as parallel rather than integrated strategies unless explicitly framed and supported as a unified approach.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06269549. Registered on 13th February 2024.

Indexed as

Dietary SupplementsExercise TherapyOsteoarthritis, KneeAgedCombined Modality TherapyFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedMotivationMulticenter Studies as TopicPerceptionQualitative ResearchRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeDietary supplementsExercise programKnee osteoarthritisMotivationPatient experiencePhysical rehabilitationQualitative study

Identifiers

PMID41559644
PMCPMC12903579

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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.