What is GLA:D?

GLA:D, which stands for Good Life with Osteo Arthritis: Denmark, is an education and exercise based program developed by researchers for people with hip and knee OA symptoms. It started in Australia in 2016 and helps combine latest evidence to help you reduce your pain, improve lifestyle, reduce reliance on pain medications and help reduce the desire for surgery.

Common Questions and Answers

What does the program involve?

• 2 x education sessions
• Initial session for outcome measures
• 12 x (1) hour group exercise sessions completed over 6 weeks
• Follow up session at 3 months time for outcome measures
• Completion of questionnaires through La Trobe University at the start and then after 3 and 12 months to support the research that drives the program.

What does education involve?

The trained clinician will go through the latest evidence about risk factors, factors related to pain and disability, treatment options, exercise and physical activity, managing any flare ups and self-management to help you down the track when you finish the program. You will have the opportunity to ask and discuss questions with the clinician and the other participants.

What sort of exercises am I going to be doing?

Exercises are tailored to you individually to target all major muscle groups in the legs. We focus a lot on control to help you with how you are moving and get you moving better. The exercises done in GLA:D® target joint stability, muscle strength and confidence with movement.

How long is the program?

6 weeks of 2 x 1 hour sessions. We also need a 1:1 initial and 3 month follow up for assessment.

What does a session look like?

We would be in a small group of 4-6 people and begin with a warm up followed by a set of 10 exercises tailored to your level of difficulty and finish with a cool down.

What if I miss a session?

If you miss a session, you can re-join whenever possible. We need to aim to complete all 12 sessions before the 3 month follow up if possible.

Note: 3 month re-assessment cannot be re-scheduled. It needs to be done 3 months from the initial session.

What happens after the completion of the program?

Your clinician will do a 3 month follow up re-assessment to see how you have improved. Then we explore what your goals are and help guide you towards them (either going to the gym, group exercises, or find ways to increase physical activity). We encourage you to perform what you learned at GLAD at home and continue to use it as a tool to maintain your health.

More Questions?

Speak to our clinician or  visit https://gladaustralia.com.au/faq-for-people-with-oa/

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