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GLA:D™

Canada

What is GLA:D™?

  • Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark (GLA:D®), developed in Denmark, is a 7-week group education and tailored neuromuscular exercise program designed for individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis

  • The program is unique because it provides education and targeted exercise that can be applied to movement in everyday activities

  • Results from the GLA:D® program in Denmark have shown:

    • 27% reduction in pain intensity at one year after participating in the  program,

    • over 30% increase in self-reported physical activity levels,

    • reduced use of joint related pain killers at one year

    • reduced number of individuals on sick leave at one year after completing the program

  • GLA:D™ Canada is supported through the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation in partnership with Bone and Joint Canada

What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?

  • OA is the most common condition affecting the joints in individuals 65+, but it is also highly prevalent in individuals 30-45 years of age

  • OA is the 11th highest contributor to global disability. In Canada, there are currently more than 4.6 million people living with OA and this will rise to more than 10 million (or 1 in 4 Canadians) in 30 years . OA also impacts the health-related quality of life and productivity of the affected individual. This leads to time off work, thereby creating an economic burden.

  • OA is no longer considered a degenerative disease treated by rest, but as a condition treatable by exercise and physical activity

  • Canada’s current health care system does not follow best practice

What makes this program different than others for Arthritis?

  • The program’s goal is to reduce symptoms so that you can do the things you want to do

  • The program has been shown to improve outcomes (improved quality of life, reduced pain and use of pain medication, less sick leave)

  • This program is unique because it teaches you how to build the correct movement patterns into your everyday activities

What is the commitment for GLA:D™?

GLA:D™ is a 3-part Program

will teach GLA:D™ Canada participants about:

1.  Two Education Classes (60 min Classes)

Osteoarthritis risk factors and symptoms

Current available treatment for osteoarthritis

How to self-manage your symptoms

Why and how exercise can help with your osteoarthritis

How to cope with the difficulties of daily activities associated with osteoarthritis

2.  12 Neuromuscular Exercise Classes

Learn how to control your movements and proper  posture
Build muscular strength through functional exercise
Learn how to apply these exercises to everyday activities

3.  Data Collection for Quality Monitoring

The program measures how you’re doing at your first visit, 3 and 12 months after you have started the program. This information will help us monitor how the program is working for people with osteoarthritis all over Canada and ultimately will help us improve the program.​

Who is suitable for GLA:D™?

  • Anyone with early to late stages of hip and/or knee OA, with or without a formal diagnosis

  • People with hip and/or knee pain, stiffness or weakness

  • Individuals on the joint replacement waitlist are encouraged to participate to help with post-operative recovery

  • If you are not on the surgical waitlist yet...that is okay! Get more active today and improve your symptoms with support and supervision

Cost

  • Initial Physio Assessment $90 (billable to extended benefits)

  • 6 week GLA:D Program $360 (12 exercises classes and 2 education classes; often covered by extended health plans, as it is supervised physiotherapy)

  • Make sure to check with your extended health plan to know your plans coverage!

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