Table 5.

A detailed overview of the interventions included in the studies within the review

Studies	Intervention(s)		Control
Hopman-Rock & Westhoff (2000) [16]	Six weekly sessions lasting 2 h. First hour: Peer educator advice on Pathophysiology of OA, lifestyle and physical activity, pain management, weight reduction and diet, ergonomic and medical aspects of OA; treatments and x-rays. Questions answered by a visiting GP and OT. Second Hour: Physiotherapy lead exercise program. Education on rest and activity and the benefits of walking. Warming up exercises and relaxation exercises specific to knee and hip. Fifteen minutes of each session was spent on education about the balance between rest and activity and the types of activity. The course included the use of a pain diary and personal goal planning.		Unclear - states without intervention
van Baar et al. (2001) [19]	The patients were given exercise treatment individually by a physiotherapist in primary care (1–3 sessions per week). In addition, their GP provided patient education (including a brochure) and medication management, if necessary. One exercise protocol was used for both the hip and knee patients. It included exercises for muscle function, mobility and coordination. Instructions were also given for adaptation of the activities of daily living and home exercises.		Treatment was restricted to that given by their GP in the intervention, (patient education and medication management, if necessary).
Rosemann et al. (2007) [18]	Intervention 1: GPs received two interactive peer group meetings (8 h each) that focussed on evidence based treatment of OA in primary care (including a written summary of guidelines), arthritis self-management programs and motivational skills for working with patients. GPs were given patient education leaflets including a physical exercise programme in a booklet and on audio CD. Intervention 2: GPs received the same as Intervention 1. in addition a practice nurse was trained to monitor participants via a monthly telephone call; and to check adherence to GP prescriptions and advice and to ask about increasing pain and possible side effects of medication		Usual care
Hansson et al. (2010) [17]	The patient education programme for osteoarthritis (PEPOA). The programme lasted for 5 weeks, with group sessions once a week, 3 h for each session.		Described as ‘living as usual’
	First session	A physiotherapist and occupational therapist provided information about anatomy and physiology of pain and coping with pain. Brainstorming was used to discover what the participants found hard to do.
	Second session	A physiotherapist provided information about exercise and physical activity and gave a practical demonstration of home-training exercises for the lower extremity. A demonstration of different kinds of orthopaedic aids for the lower extremity was also given.
	Third session	An orthopaedic specialist, nurse and nutritionist provided information about OA and current research. Information about medications and appropriate diet were also given.
	Fourth session	An OT provided ergonomics and practical instructions about equipment and technical aids. Feedback to the brainstorming session from session one was provided.
	Fifth session	An OT provided information about surgery of the hand, and demonstrated the use of orthopaedic aids for hands. A practical demonstration of home training exercises for the hand was provided.