Uhlig and colleagues commented on the scarcity of economic analyses on rehabilitative interventions for the full spectrum of arthritic conditions Aspects of the design of studies of nonpharmacologic methods, such as the inability to use a control group and limitations in outcome measures, affect the quality of data and our ability to synthesize them systematically
Recent systematic reviews attempted to document the benefits of exercise and identify the dosage that yields the greatest benefits but more rigorous study is needed. In the meantime, it’s clear that exercise is as effective as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in managing many OA symptoms while having fewer risks.