GLA:D has been shown to improve function, reduce pain, and enhance the quality of life for individuals with osteoarthritis.
In a recent study, researchers investigated the implementation of GLA:D in public hospitals in Australia. GLA:D treatment is led by specially trained physiotherapists and consists of two educational sessions and 12 exercise sessions. During the treatment period, patients also fill out questionnaires to evaluate the results.
According to the study, the number of GLA:D-certified physiotherapists in Australia has increased. It was also found that having an adequate number of GLA:D-trained physiotherapists available at the involved clinics is crucial to ensure that there is always someone knowledgeable about the treatment.
One challenge discussed is that many patients participating in the study have a complex disease profile, including more severe pain and poorer physical function than those in previous studies. This is likely because the study is conducted in public hospitals, where patients with more severe conditions often seek care or are referred by other healthcare providers. However, the researchers believe that GLA:D appears to be beneficial even for those with a more challenging disease profile than described in the current participant criteria. Another issue raised in the study is that several patients experienced difficulties with the technology needed to complete the forms during the GLA:D treatment. It is part of GLA:D to fill in the requested information to continuously evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness.
In conclusion, the researchers suggest that it is possible to implement GLA:D in public hospitals in Australia. However, careful preparation and planning are necessary before implementation to provide the right conditions for both the treatment itself and the patients.
If you’d like to read the full study, you can find it here (opens in a new tab).
