Developing an 8‐Week, Tele‐Education Weight Control and Exercise Programme, and Evaluating Its Effects on Weight and Pain Reduction in Patients With Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double‐Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Background Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability among the elderly and is often exacerbated by obesity. Research supports weight loss and exercise therapy as key strategies for managing knee OA‐related disability. Concurrently, telemedicine is becoming a popular healthcare approach. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an 8‐week tele‐education programme's impact on weight control and knee OA outcomes. Methods/Design Participants with knee OA and obesity were included. Baseline data on pain (VAS index), physical activity (GPAQ questionnaire), and quality of life (EQ5D and KOOS questionnaires) were collected. Performance tests, including the 30‐second Chair Stand test (30CST) and the Timed Up‐and‐Go test (TUG), were recorded. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving oral advice on diet and exercise, and an intervention group receiving educational videos on nutrition, lifestyle changes, physical activity, individualised exercises, and psychosocial support. Evaluations were repeated after 8 weeks. Results Data from 25 of 30 participants were analysed. In the intervention group, body composition, waist, and abdominal circumference decreased significantly (p