Exercise on balance and function for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: To assess balance and function of symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and investigate the influence of physical exercise.

Design: Subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 15), symptomatic knee OA; Group 2 (n = 11), asymptomatic knee OA; and Group 3 (n = 16), knee OA and no intervention. History of falls, the WOMAC questionnaire, balance and functionality were assessed.

Results: After intervention, there was a significant difference in the total WOMAC score and in the pain and function domains only in Group 1. After intervention, Group 2 showed significant differences in decreased time on the Step Up/Over test and postural sway increased.

Conclusion: After the intervention, the symptomatic group reported improvement in pain and function on the WOMAC, while the asymptomatic group showed improvement in performance in the Step Up/Over test. There were no new episodes of falls in groups 1 and 2.

Keywords: Asymptomatic subjects; Falls; Functionality; Knee osteoarthritis; Physical therapy.