Clinical research trial underway for hip osteoarthritis

A partnership between Medibank and the University of Melbourne is exploring how exercise and dietary support can reduce pain and improve function for people living with hip osteoarthritis.

The Better Hip research trial is seeking to find out how an online exercise and weight loss program with dedicated support from physiotherapists and dietitians compares to having access to information and advice only.

The trial is being undertaken exclusively with Medibank customers, with just over 100 participants so far.

Medibank Chief Customer Officer, Milosh Milisavljevic, said the impact on customers’ quality of life is driving its interest in hip osteoarthritis.

“Around 1 in 11 adults are currently living with osteoarthritis, which can be extremely debilitating and limiting for everyday activities. With numbers set to significantly increase due to our ageing population and rising obesity rates, we are keen to support research that helps to address this,” Mr Milisavljevic said.

“An important feature of the trial is the virtual platform, which extends access to the trial to customers in regional areas.

“This means that location is not a barrier to taking part in the trial. We know it can be challenging for people to get to appointments, especially in regional and remote areas, but customers throughout the country can access Better Hip as it’s delivered completely online,” Mr Milisavljevic said.

University of Melbourne Professor Kim Bennell said that while clinical guidelines include lifestyle recommendations to manage hip osteoarthritis, their application is falling short.

“Hip replacement surgery rates are expected to rise by 208% between 2013 and 2030, yet we know that up to a third of patients may not achieve clinical benefit. There’s also an over-reliance on drugs, including opioids, in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis.

“Education, exercise and weight loss are recognised as first-line treatments for osteoarthritis. Despite being shown to improve pain, function and quality of life and reduce the need for hip replacement, these treatments are underutilised. More than half of people are still not receiving appropriate care.

“We need effective and accessible programs that address gaps in treatment for people with hip osteoarthritis,” Professor Bennell said.

The Better Hip trial will follow up participants at 6 and 12 months after their completion of the program. The evaluation will focus on clinical outcomes, participant feedback and engagement. An additional evaluation will take place after 24 months, with a focus on longer term outcomes such as the rate of hip replacements.

Details of Better Hip will shortly be published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Journal.

Eligible Medibank customers who are interested in joining the trial are encouraged to visit: https://www.medibank.com.au/health-support/health-services/better-hip/.

The trial is expected to conclude in June 2025.

More information

About Better Hip:

• Better Hip is a six-month pilot program for eligible customers with chronic hip pain caused by osteoarthritis.
• It will investigate the impact of combining personalised plans for exercise, pain management and in some cases weight loss.
• Better Hip has been developed and is being delivered and evaluated in partnership with experts from the University of Melbourne.
• The research trial comprises a control and a test group. Those in the control group are provided with access to a website with information about hip osteoarthritis and how to manage the condition. The test group undertakes physiotherapy consultations and, for those eligible, additional consultations with a dietitian. Participants in this group are provided with a Fitbit, exercise equipment and booklets to help them measure and track their progress.

Eligibility:

• Medibank customers with resident hospital cover that includes total hip replacement.
• Age: ≥45 years
• Has hip osteoarthritis (OA), defined by the fulfilment of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical criteria for OA, and other clinical criteria.
• Access to computer/tablet/laptop with internet connection and a smartphone.