The evidence from two systematic reviews/meta-analyses and eight other studies is that the benefits of education and self-management for people with osteoarthritis is limited. However, methodological problems commonly present in the studies may have influenced the results.

Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses, six RCTs, one implementation study, and one observational study were included in the review by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) of studies on education and self-management methods for people with osteoarthritis [National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, 2008]. Studies varied in the site of osteoarthritis (mostly hip or knee), in the education/self-management programme (with respect to content, length, and delivery method), and in the outcome measures. Outcomes included pain, stiffness, function/disability, quality of life, self-efficacy (a person's perception of their ability to manage their osteoarthritis), use of health services, use of analgesia, knowledge of osteoarthritis, and use of self-management methods. Most outcomes were reported by NICE as effect sizes.

Some studies found a small improvement, while other studies found no statistically significant effect.

NICE commented that methodological limitations in the studies included:

• Range and diversity of outcomes measured.
• Disparities in severity and site of osteoarthritis.
• Few studies explored self-efficacy and wider psychological and social factors.
• Outcomes were likely to have been influenced by the negative expectations of people with osteoarthritis (and to some extent by those of healthcare professionals), and by poor access to support and advice.