Implementation studies are recommended to
assess the feasibility and effectiveness in reallife
of programmes which have been tested in
randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We
report on an implementation study of two evidence-based
exercise and health education programmes
for older adults with osteoarthritis
(OA) of the knee or hip. Three types of primary
health-care providers (n = 18) delivered
the OA Knee programme (n = 20) and the OA
Hip programme (n = 20), supported by programme
manuals and implementation guidelines,
in four regions. The outcome measures
were pain and mobility. The Knee programme
had OA knowledge and self-ef®cacy as additional
outcome measures. Differences in outcome
measures and background variables of
participants were assessed between the RCTs
and the implementation study. Positive effects
(P < 0.05) were found for OA knowledge, pain
and self-ef®cacy in the Knee programme (n =
157), and for pain in the Hip programme (n =
132). No effect was found for mobility. Effect
sizes of the RCTs and the present study were
comparable. Background variables did not
explain the variance in the outcome measures.
The outcomes of the previous RCTs and the
implementation study were comparable, and
indicated the ecological validity of the two programmes.
The implications for nationwide dissemination
and implementation in The
Netherlands are discussed