GLA:D™ Canada Osteoarthritis Exercise Program

GLA:D® is an education and exercise program developed by researchers in Denmark for individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. It was licensed to Canada in 2016, and is now available across the country in physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics as well as hospitals, primary health care centres and wellness facilities.

Research from the GLA:D® program in Canada has shown:

  • a mean 15-29% improvement in pain;
  • over 30% of individuals experiencing a marked improvement in activities of daily living and sports and recreation;
  • over 45% of individuals experiencing a marked improvement in quality of life;

Other outcomes include a reduction in pain intensity and reduced use of joint related pain killers.

Program participants also reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and increased levels of physical activity 12 months after starting the program.

This program is unique in that the education and exercises provided can be applied to everyday activities. By strengthening and correcting daily movement patterns, participants will train their bodies to move properly, prevent symptom progression and reduce pain.

The program in Canada is licensed to the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation (COF) and is currently being implemented by Bone and Joint Canada, a knowledge translation division of the COF.

Click here for more information on how you can participate in GLA:D™ Canada.

Click here to watch a video about the GLA:D® program.

Click here to read the GLA:D™ Canada Annual Report.