120 obese or overweight patients with joint pain caused by knee osteoarthritis were randomized into rehabilitation with either a non disease-specific and telephone-based weight loss and support program (invention group; n=60) or the usual care protocol of orthopaedic consultation or surgery if necessary (usual care group; n=60). Patients of the intervention group received up to ten 2-hour telephone support sessions within 26 weeks, while patients of the usual care group did not receive any active treatments. Over 26 weeks of intervention, the self-reported pain intensity and weight loss did not significantly differ between the intervention group and the usual care group.