GLA:D
GLA:D®, from ‘Good Life with osteoarthritis in Denmark’, is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
It was brought to Australia in 2016 to help Australians with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
One year after completing GLA:D® Australian participants reported:
- 35-42% average pain reduction
- 17-29% participants reduced pain medication use
- 38-39% improvement in joint-related quality of life
Osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects most people as they progress into their latter years.
GLA:D® Australia is a not-for-profit initiative led by La Trobe University
GLA:D® Australia is a group-based education and individualised exercise therapy program with compelling evidence.
The GLA:D® Australia program consists of:
- An initial appointment to explain the program and measure your current functional ability
- Two education sessions which teach you about OA, its risk factors, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
- Group exercise sessions twice a week for six weeks to improve your control of the joint, your confidence in the joint and your strength.
- A review at 3-months with your physiotherapist to discuss progress and goals, and re-measure your functional ability.
- Completion of a questionnaire on registration with the program, and then again at 3 and 12 months after registration to measure changes in areas such as pain, function, quality of life, and medication use.