What factors require consideration when individualising exercise interventions for people with osteoarthritis? Consensus of experts using a delphi methodology

Purpose: Exercise is long established as a core treatment for OA. Compelling evidence shows that exercise is effective in managing pain and improving function in people with OA. However, there are different types of exercises and no “one-fits-all” exercise programme. Adherence to exercise is often problematic. Various international guidelines recommend individualising exercise according to patient characteristics (e.g., pain severity, personal goals, and co-morbidities), purported to improve engagement, adherence, and the overall treatment effect. However, there is no agreed list of prioritised characteristics that are deemed important in this respect. The aim of this Delphi exercise was to reach a consensus from an international panel of experts in OA and exercise prescription, spanning from different healthcare professions, on the most important strategies for individualising exercise interventions for people with OA.