Effectiveness of exercise therapy for osteoarthritis: an overview of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To provide an overview of the effects of exercise for osteoarthritis.

Design

Overview.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, Epistemonikos, PEDro, Cochrane and registries from inception to 8 November 2025.

Eligibility criteria

Reviews comparing exercise with placebo, no intervention or other interventions on pain and function for osteoarthritis. Supplementary trials were included to update inconclusive areas.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed bias. Data were standardised to a 0-100 scale and reanalysed using random-effects meta-analysis. Certainty was rated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results

Five reviews (κ=100; n=8631) and 28 supplementary trials (kn

SUBMITTER: Schleimer T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12927395 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature