The jointcare study: does owner pain education reduce pain in dogs with OA?

Van Der Walt, Anna Margaretha

The jointcare study: does owner pain education reduce pain in dogs with OA?

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

Introduction Chronic osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs is a major veterinary health burden, affecting both the dog and the human–dog dyad. Although caregiver pain education delivered within a biopsychosocial model has been shown to improve the physical functioning of dependent patients with chronic pain, the application of similar owner-focused education models in dog osteoarthritis management remains unexplored. This study investigates the role of dog owners in shaping the functional adaptation of dogs with chronic pain and evaluates the impact of an evidence-based pain education intervention, The JointCare Programme, on improving outcomes in the management of chronic osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Methods A scoping review examined parallels between chronic pain in dogs and humans, including contemporary pain management strategies, with particular focus on caregiver–patient dyads, such as found in paediatric pain care. Using Intervention Mapping, the JointCare Programme was developed within a biopsychosocial framework to target owner cognitive and behavioural factors influencing dog pain. A mixed-methods pilot feasibility study evaluated the programme's effectiveness, using owner-reported measures of pain severity, pain interference, fear-of-pain, and pain self-efficacy. Participant interviews provided qualitative insights to contextualise the quantitative findings. Results The scoping review confirmed the importance of addressing owner-related factors in dog chronic pain management. Intervention Mapping produced a structured, theory-driven education programme tailored to this need. Compared to usual care, the programme significantly reduced dog pain and owner fear-of-pain. Qualitative findings highlighted improved owner knowledge, skills and peer support as drivers of change. The intervention showed strong feasibility and acceptability in real-world settings. Conclusion This study highlights the potential of dog owner-focused pain education in the management of dog patients with chronic painful OA. The data show that The JointCare Programme is a feasible model for enhancing pain management in dogs. Future research should refine self-efficacy assessments, examine long-term outcomes, and explore the scalability of the intervention.

Keywords

Chronic osteoarthritis (OA)

dogs

Reference:

Collections

PhD / Doctoral

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